The Coalition Taskforce Mediation Committee (CTMC) has opened nominations for a coalition flagbearer to contest the 5 December 2026 presidential election, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to unite opposition parties behind a single candidate.

The decision was reached during the committee’s 7th Strategic Session held at Baobab Hotel, where representatives of participating political parties and movements met to discuss the future direction of the coalition process.

The meeting focused on several key issues, including the review of a proposed 25-point Common Agenda, adoption of a coalition framework, discussions on the type of alliance to be presented to voters, and eligibility criteria for selecting a flagbearer.

In his opening remarks, CTMC Chairman, Yerro Mballow, renewed calls for opposition unity, arguing that cooperation among opposition groups remains critical to addressing the country’s challenges.

“The only solution to all the problems of The Gambia is the unity of the opposition,” he said, urging political leaders to rally around a shared national vision.

The session also heard from CTMC Secretary, Ebrima S. Bah, who presented minutes from the committee’s previous meeting hosted by the People’s Alliance Party (PAP). The minutes were subsequently adopted with amendments.

Hosting the meeting was former Vice President Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, leader of the Democratic Renaissance Party (DRP), who reflected on the lessons of the 2016 opposition coalition that defeated former president Yahya Jammeh.

Tambajang urged opposition leaders to place national interests above partisan considerations, warning that Gambians are looking to politicians for solutions to issues such as corruption, unemployment, healthcare challenges and concerns within the education sector.

“History will not judge us by the speeches we make today. It will judge us by the courage we show, the unity we build, and the solutions we deliver for the Gambian people,” she said.

The committee said all participating parties and movements have now been invited to submit nominees for consideration as coalition flagbearer.

According to the CTMC, the nominations will be assessed based on agreed criteria aimed at identifying a candidate capable of uniting coalition partners and appealing to the wider electorate.

The coalition initiative brings together a number of opposition parties and political movements seeking to challenge incumbent President Adama Barrow in the 2026 presidential election.

The CTMC said its next strategic session will take place on 13 June and will be hosted by Essa Bokar Sey at Metzy Residence in Senegambia.

By Adama Makasuba