Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has been elected as the flagbearer of the United Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 presidential election.

Mr. Darboe defeated lawyer Borry S. Touray in the primaries, following the withdrawal of his old friend, Amadou Sanneh.

While Darboe’s loyalists celebrated his election as flagbearer, many UDP members who had called for a change in leadership criticised the process, describing it as a planned move to secure Darboe’s victory.

The primaries, held for the first time, came after some UDP members launched a no-backup protest on social media, calling for their preferred candidate, Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda, to lead. They had urged Darboe, who has led the party since 1996 without success in presidential elections, to step aside.

This has caused a deepening internal division, forcing Talib Bensouda to sensationally withdraw from the race as flagbearer, citing his promise not to challenge Darboe for the position. Critics, however, argue that the young politician was pressured to pull out.

We will bring all the latest developments as things unfolds.

By Adama Makasuba