National Assembly Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, Yaya Menteng Sanyang, has defended members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) who have defected to Talib Bensouda’s new political movement, insisting their decision does not amount to betrayal.

He told the growing number of UDP supporters joining the camp of Talib Ahmed Bensouda that their choice should be seen as a strategic step rather than an abandonment of the opposition cause.

“To the thousands of patriots joining this movement from the UDP: do not heed the accusation of betrayal. You are not betrayers. You have not crossed over to the NPP or to the Barrow government. Your commitment remains in the opposition to fight the Barrow administration,” he said.

The Latrikunda lawmaker stressed that the struggle against President Adama Barrow remains the shared mission binding the opposition, no matter the camps they operate from.

“This confirms that we still share the same fundamental cause. Your decision is merely a strategic realignment, a necessary adjustment of focus, strategy, and direction to defeat our common challenge: the Barrow government,” Sanyang added.

He was quick to clarify that the new movement is not designed to weaken or fight the UDP but to strengthen the opposition bloc.

“Understand this clearly: this movement is not established to oppose the UDP,” he added, calling for discipline, focus, and unity ahead of the 2026 elections.

By Adama Makasuba