photo credit: standard newspaper
Today, on the 29th anniversary of The Gambia’s return to constitutional rule, we the
undersigned consortium of opposition parties hereby formally introduce a new coalition
building initiative to you, the Gambian people.
This coalition is -building project is convened and being facilitated by the APeX Initiative (APeX),
a body of impartial Gambian volunteers. The project seeks to bring together opposition
political parties, movements, and independent political actors around one central objective:
building a credible, unified alterna<ve for the 2026 presidential election.
Across the country and in the diaspora, Gambians have repeatedly expressed a clear message: that fragmentation within the opposition has weakened democratic competition and made meaningful political change more difficult to achieve.
This coalition -building project exists in direct response to that challenging reality.
Why Our Coalition -building Project?:
The Gambia faces serious challenges. Cost of living continuous to rise, public trust in institutions is steeply declining, insecurity is growing, and many of the reforms demanded by Gambians since 2016 remain outstanding.
At the same time political tension is on the rise, while citizens’demand for national leadership that is effective, transparent, accountable, and focused on the national interest fall by the wayside.
We the undersigned, do not claim to have all the answers. But are resolute around one basic
principle: the recognition that no single party or individual can singlehandedly carry the
weight of demanding monumental nation-building which our beloved nation requires.
For the above reasons, APeX as an impartial broker, provides a structured space for respecUul
dialogue, and effective negotiations towards coalition -building among opposition actors that are committed to achieving democratic change and meaningful reform.
What Is Happening Now?:
Discussions are currently underway among we the undersigned political stakeholders.
These talks are focused on:
• How to build a unified opposition front
• What principles should guide cooperation
• How Flagbearer, candidate selection , and a shared governance framework should be
approached
• How to avoid the mistakes of past coalitions
These conversations are ongoing. No final decisions have been made, and no participant is bound by any agreement at this stage.
APeX, as an impartial broker, exists to support this process; to help it remain organised,
inclusive, transparent, and credible.
APEX also acknowledges efforts by others towards coalition on-building; to prevent a duplication of effort, APeX has initiated dialogue with these
potential partners towards a mutual objective.
Principles Upon Which Our Coalition on-building exercise rest:
While negotiations continue, we the undersigned are guided by the following principles:
• That democratic change requires unity, not division.
• That governance must be based on accountability, not personal rule.
• That reform (constitutional security sector, and civil service), justice, and economic recovery are central to national stability.
• That the will of the Gambian people must always come first.
A Call to Other Opposition Political Actors:
We invite all opposition political parties, movements, and independent aspirants who share our objective for democratic change and meaningful reform to join this coalition-building project, which is dedicated to forging a unified platform for democratic change come 5 December 2026.
Among the signatories of the Consortium of opposition parties were: All People’s Party Sobeyaa (APP Sobeyaa)– Political Stakeholder Mr. Essa Mbye Faal
Secretary General and Party Leader Gambia For All (GFA) – Political Stakeholder Mr. Bakary Bunja Dabo Secretary General and Party Leader National Unity Party (NUP) – Political Stakeholder Dr. Lamin J. Darbo
Secretary General and Party Leader
Patriotic Progressive Alliance (PPA) – Political Stakeholder
Dr. Ousman Gajigo Leader Tabax Rewmi Movement (Tabax Rewmi) – Political Stakeholder Mr. Ahmadou Kah Leader United Democratic Party (UDP) – Political Stakeholder Mr. A.N.M Ousainou Darboe
Secretary General and Party Leader Unite Movement for Change (UMC) – Political Stakeholder Mr. (Mayor) Talib Ahmed Bensouda Co Founder and Interim Leader.
