PDOIS has reaffirmed its commitment to building an opposition coalition ahead of the 2026 presidential election, insisting that any alliance must be driven by constitutional and institutional reforms rather than simply removing the current government.

In a statement issued after a meeting of its Central Committee, the party said it had endorsed ongoing efforts by its Committee of Bureaus to engage with the opposition coalition initiative, Team Gambia 2026, and instructed the committee to continue consultations.

The party said the country’s need for constitutional, legal, electoral, administrative and institutional reforms remains urgent and argued that replacing the current administration should be a means to achieving those reforms, not an end in itself.
Drawing lessons from the 2016 coalition, PDOIS said safeguards must be put in place to ensure that promised reforms are implemented without delay.

The statement recalled that the party’s 2025 Congress mandated veteran politicians Halifa Sallah and Sidia Jatta to initiate an inclusive coalition capable of leading a change of government and delivering the reforms.

The Central Committee said it had reviewed the progress made so far and approved continued engagement with Team Gambia 2026, while endorsing the position that the coalition should pursue “a change that will effect reforms and not a mere regime change.”

PDOIS also resolved to take part in the 2026–2027 electoral cycle by fielding candidates for the presidency, the National Assembly and local councils, signalling that it intends to remain an active player in the opposition’s push to unseat President Adama Barrow’s administration.

By Adama Makasuba