Coalition 2026 flag bearer Talib Bensouda has pledged to replace the government in the 2026 presidential election, promising Gambians a results-driven administration focused on jobs, reliable electricity, women’s economic empowerment and opportunities for young people.

Bensouda made the pledge at the signing ceremony of the Coalition 2026 agreement, where he formally accepted the responsibility of leading the opposition alliance into the presidential election.

In a wide-ranging address, the mayor of Kanifing said the coalition was bigger than any individual political leader or party and should be driven by the interests of Gambians.

He painted a grim picture of the country’s economic challenges, pointing to rising living costs, poverty, food insecurity and limited opportunities for young people.

Bensouda said economic growth must be judged by whether ordinary Gambians feel its impact in their homes, businesses and communities.

“Growth alone is not enough if people do not feel the benefits in their homes, in their pockets, on their breakfast tables, in their businesses and in their communities,” he said.

The Coalition 2026 flag bearer placed youth unemployment and economic inactivity at the centre of his argument, saying young Gambians needed practical pathways into employment rather than repeated promises about the future.

He proposed greater investment in skills, apprenticeships, technology, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, alongside a stronger private sector capable of creating jobs.

Bensouda also promised to put women’s economic participation higher on the national agenda, arguing that women need improved access to finance, land, markets, skills, childcare and technology.

But electricity emerged as another major priority in his vision.

He said the country could not industrialise, attract investment or create competitive businesses without reliable power, while linking energy insecurity to difficulties faced by students, businesses and healthcare providers.

Coalition 2026, he said, would invest in dependable electricity generation and distribution, renewable energy and power solutions for schools and communities.

Bensouda also called for political unity within the coalition, saying its partners had demonstrated that political leaders could put aside personal ambitions for the national interest.

“As your flag bearer, I will work to ensure that this Coalition remains bigger than any individual, including myself,” he said.

He promised measurable targets and greater accountability, saying a future government should be judged by its results rather than speeches.

Bensouda ended his address with a direct pledge to voters, promising to tackle crime, criminalise tribalism and unite Gambians for what he described as progress, peace and prosperity.

The ceremony formally positioned Coalition 2026 as a major opposition force ahead of the presidential election, with Bensouda seeking to turn the alliance’s promises of change into a broad campaign for government.

By Adama Makasuba