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As the 2026 presidential election approaches, the United Democratic Party (UDP), one of The Gambia’s main opposition parties, grapples with a deepening internal crisis that has led to the resignation of several key executive members.
Founded in 1996, the UDP has long been a dominant force in Gambian opposition politics. It contests every election under the leadership of veteran politician Ousainou Darboe.
However, recent internal tensions, particularly around the party’s flag bearer selection process, threaten to derail the party’s unity and long-standing political influence.
Political History of the UDP
The UDP was officially registered in 1996. The party immediately contested the presidential election that year against then-incumbent Yahya Jammeh of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), as well as other opposition parties, including the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) and the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS).
Since then, the party has participated in every presidential election cycle: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2021.
Despite failing to win the presidency, the UDP has consistently remained the largest opposition party in the country.
Internal Crisis Deepens
Tensions within the UDP have intensified recently, culminating in a power struggle over who will represent the party in the 2026 presidential election.
In August 2025, the party opened applications for its flag bearer position, attracting 11 candidates, including long-time leader Ousainou Darboe and Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
Darboe’s decades-long leadership has come under internal scrutiny, with some members and young supporters suggesting it is time for a younger generation to take the reins.
A survey by CepRass indicated strong public support for Mayor Bensouda, sparking further division.
The survey revealed that 59% of Gambians don’t want Darboe to contest the election and prefer Talib Ahmed Bensouda as his replacement.
The Bensouda Factor
Many saw Bensouda, previously UDP’s Organising Secretary, as a viable candidate to rejuvenate the party.
However, his rise within the party ranks drew fierce criticism from some senior members.
Among the critics was Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe, who accused Bensouda of betrayal and vowed to leave the party if he was selected as the flag bearer.
On September 1st, the UDP released its list of flag bearer applicants and scheduled interviews.
Bensouda appeared before the committee on September 3rd but withdrew from the race just 24 hours later, simultaneously resigning from his position as Organising Secretary.
His resignation came amid internal backlash and criticism from party loyalists.
While some sympathised with Bensouda, citing cyberbullying and unfair treatment, others questioned his motives and commitment to the party.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The resignation sparked a flurry of reactions on social media:
“Talib feels he is being subjected to a barrage of insults simply for applying, as though he were the only one who applied,” said one Amadou Jawo..
“Even if he was not chosen as the flag bearer, there should have been peaceful ways to keep him within the party,” another commented.
Others were less sympathetic, with one questioning, “Was he only looking for the flag bearership? When he realised he couldn’t be selected, he decided to resign.”
Wave of Resignations
Bensouda’s departure triggered a domino effect within the UDP, with several executive members tendering their resignations in protest.
Tombong Saidy, UDP’s Administrative Secretary for Media and Communications, resigned, citing a lack of transparency in the selection process and Bensouda’s treatment.
Soon after, Babucarr Loppy Jammeh, a founding member since 1996 and National Campaign Manager Yahya Karafa Sonko, also resigned, stating bluntly that “the party has lost its way.”
Other notable resignations include Makam Sowe, Chairman of UDP’s Diaspora Media and Public Relations; Malick Sowe, National Executive Committee Member; and Modou Lamin Fatty, UDP Deputy PRO BB Diaspora Cash Chapter.
These resignations point to a growing fracture within the UDP’s leadership structure, raising serious questions about the party’s stability heading into a crucial election year.
As of now, six senior figures have already resigned: Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Tombong Saidy, Modou Lamin Fatty, Yahya Karafa Sonko, Makam Sowe, and Babucarr Loppy Jammeh.
Picture of the six senior figures of the UDP who resigned.
Call for dialogue and reconciliation
The call for dialogue is spreading across and is led by various party members, including lawmakers.
Lamin Ceesay, a UDP National Assembly member for Kiang West, has called on the party’s supporters to reunite and work together before the election.
“I am calling on my party members to unite ahead of the election,” he said.
Speaking to reporters at the party’s headquarters in Manjai, Kanifing Municipality, Ousainou Darboe, the party leader, also urged members to unite and desist from making negative comments against those who resigned.
“I am urging every UDO member to unite, and please do not say anything negative about those who left the party. They have done so much, and we appreciate their efforts,” he said.
Meanwhile, the party’s minority leader and Administrative Secretary, Alagie S. Darboe, has also called for unity, stressing its importance ahead of the election.
Looking Ahead
The UDP faces a pivotal moment as the 2026 presidential race draws nearer.
Whether the party can overcome its internal rifts and present a unified front remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the recent wave of resignations has shaken the party’s foundation and could have lasting repercussions on its political future.
