Coalition 2026 flagbearer Talib Ahmed Bensouda has promised to end the ECOMIG military mission in The Gambia within 12 months if his coalition wins the 2026 presidential election.

Addressing supporters at a Coalition 2026 rally in Brikama, Bensouda said his government would restore responsibility for national security to Gambian security forces.

“Within 12 months I will tell ECOMIG thank you, and we will return security into the hands of Gambian security,” he said.

The ECOMIG mission was deployed to The Gambia following the country’s 2016-17 political crisis and has remained part of the country’s security architecture.

Bensouda said a Coalition 2026 government would work towards strengthening Gambian security institutions so the country could take full responsibility for its own security.

His pledge represents a significant proposed change to The Gambia’s current security arrangements and places the future of the regional military presence firmly within the 2026 political debate.

Bensouda also said his administration would introduce reforms affecting policing and the management of public demonstrations.

“We will ensure there is term limit,” he said, adding that his government would also ensure police have the power to determine who should protest and who should not.

By Adama Makasuba