A senior executive member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Lamin Manneh, has said the chances of forming a coalition with the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), led by Talib Ahmed Bensouda, are “very slim.”

Speaking in an interview with Teledal, Manneh explained that many of Bensouda’s supporters were formerly members of the UDP who left due to internal disagreements, making any political alliance difficult.

“Everything is possible in politics, but I think the chances for that are very slim because they precisely left the UDP. They said they didn’t like what was happening in the party,” Manneh said.

He, however, reassured supporters that the UDP’s leadership structure remains strong, despite recent resignations.

“The crème de la crème is still in the party, and what is even more interesting is that those who came to replace them are at least as competent and qualified as them,” he added.

Manneh stressed that the UDP remains open to building alliances with other political entities but insisted that any coalition must be based on democratic values and internal consensus.

“Talib is not even a political party. There are a lot of political parties out there we are talking to, and we could have a coalition. We are working towards that, and if later on Talib has his party and wants to join, he would be more than welcome,” he said.

Manneh reaffirmed the UDP’s broader goal of uniting with like-minded groups to bring about political change in 2026.

“There is nobody who is not welcome to join a coalition. What we want is to set up a coalition that will take away Adama Barrow from number one, Marina Parade, and bring in a much more democratic government — a constitution we deserve, the economic development we deserve, and a new political dispensation. That is what we are working towards,” he said.