Gambians are scheduled to cast their votes in the presidential election on December 5th. Recent political developments have centered on the formal alliance between the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC). The principal objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two parties is the formal endorsement of President Adama Barrow as the NPP and GDC's joint candidate for the upcoming December 5th presidential elections. This strategic move cements a unified front for the incumbent. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition is anticipated to announce its own presidential candidate this Saturday, setting the stage for the electoral contest that will define the nation's leadership for the coming term.
NPP Forges Dominant Coalition
The National People’s Party (NPP) is asserting that its expanding coalition has secured victory in the upcoming December presidential election. The party's confidence stems from a series of alliances, including a significant agreement with the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC). The formal alliance between the NPP and the GDC was officially signed on July 29, solidifying a joint effort for the December polls. This partnership is a key component of the NPP's strategy to consolidate support across various political factions ahead of the electoral contest. The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to formally endorse President Adama Barrow as the unified candidate for both the NPP and the GDC in the December 5th, 2026 presidential elections. This endorsement shows a commitment to a shared political agenda and a concerted campaign effort.
The NPP-led coalition has integrated several other political entities, further bolstering its electoral position. These parties include the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), the Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP), the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), and Citizens’ Alliance (CA). The accumulation of these parties under the NPP's umbrella forms a broad political front, which the NPP claims makes its path to victory undeniable. The inclusion of such diverse political groups reflects a concerted effort by the NPP to create a wide-ranging consensus and garner support from various segments of the electorate. This extensive coalition aims to present a formidable challenge to any opposing political formations.
Discussions between the NPP and the GDC commenced early in 2025, indicating a prolonged period of negotiation and strategic alignment before the formal signing. The initial engagement between the two parties laid the groundwork for the eventual memorandum of understanding, reflecting a deliberate approach to coalition building. These early talks were key in establishing a consensus for a united front in the presidential election, allowing both parties to align their objectives and strategies. The full nature of these preliminary discussions ensured that the formal alliance was built on a foundation of mutual understanding and shared political goals.
Mamma Kandeh, a prominent figure within the GDC, engaged in consultations with GDC officials regarding the proposed alliance with the NPP. These internal discussions revealed strong support for the partnership, with approximately 99.99% of officials expressing their desire to proceed with the alliance. The overwhelming endorsement from within the GDC showed the party's collective decision to join the NPP-led coalition, noting a unified stance on the strategic direction. This near-unanimous agreement within the GDC signals a strong internal consensus and a clear mandate for the party's leadership to pursue the alliance, reinforcing the perceived strength and legitimacy of the coalition. The high level of internal approval suggests that the GDC leadership has effectively communicated the strategic benefits of this partnership to its members.
Opposition Fragmentation and Defections
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has withdrawn from coalition negotiations, stating a preference for a party-led alliance rather than joining a broader opposition front. This decision notes a divergent approach within the opposition, with some factions opting for independent campaigning or more limited alliances. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has also departed from the coalition discussions, further indicating a fragmented approach among some opposition factions ahead of the December election. These withdrawals suggest a difficulty in consolidating a united opposition front, potentially weakening their collective impact against the NPP-led coalition. In contrast to these withdrawals, the Unite Party and the National Unity Party (NUP) officially signed an alliance agreement, signaling a different strategy for consolidating opposition efforts through a more focused partnership. This alliance represents an attempt by certain opposition parties to pool resources and present a unified challenge, albeit on a smaller scale than the broader coalition initially envisioned.
Meanwhile, defections have impacted the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC). Former Niamina East National Assembly Member Hon. Omar Ceesay announced his resignation from the GDC, citing irreconcilable differences with the party's recent strategic direction. "Recent developments, particularly the party’s decision to align with President Adama Barrow and the National People’s Party (NPP), have compelled me to reflect deeply on my personal convictions and political principles," Ceesay stated. He further articulated his belief that no President should serve for more than two terms. "This position is rooted in my commitment to democratic values, good governance and the need for leadership renewal in our country," Ceesay explained, emphasizing a fundamental disagreement with the GDC's decision to support President Barrow for another term. He added, "I find myself unable to reconcile my principles with the current direction of the party." He concluded, "I believe it is both honest and appropriate to step aside from the GDC in order to remain true to my beliefs," showing the personal conviction behind his departure. Ceesay's resignation notes the internal dissent that can arise from significant political realignments, particularly when they touch upon core principles of governance and term limits.
In another significant departure, former GDC Deputy Party Leader Tina Faal has left the party and subsequently joined the Unite Party. This move further illustrates the fluidity of political allegiances in the lead-up to the election and the impact of the GDC's alliance with the NPP on its internal structure. Honourable Seedy S.K. Njie, commenting on the emergence of the Unite Party, described it as “a non-event” in the broader political landscape. Njie stated, "We are happy that people are participating in the political pluralism that the National People’s Party continues to ensure." He further asserted, "The President wants to leave a legacy that this country should be a multi-party democracy." This statement frames the NPP's perspective on the evolving political scene, suggesting that new parties and alliances are a natural part of a healthy democratic process.
Njie also claimed, "The Gambia Democratic Party came from the APRC," and noted, "Almost all the executive members of the Unite came from the UDP." He argued, "So Unite is consuming the supporters of the United Democratic Party," and suggested, "There is a serious fracture in the United Democratic Party." These observations by Honourable Njie aim to contextualize the formation of the Unite Party, portraying it as an offshoot of existing opposition structures rather than a completely new political force. His comments imply that the internal dynamics of the opposition, particularly within the UDP, are leading to fragmentation and the emergence of new entities, which he suggests might not pose a significant threat to the NPP's dominance.
Honourable Njie maintained confidence in the ruling party's position, stating, "Our supporters will remain and increase." He predicted that Gambians would vote based on the country's development trajectory, peace, and stability, as well as improvements in socio-economic well-being and infrastructural development. Njie compared the size of the NPP's allies to the new alliances, claiming, "The APRC is bigger than Unite," and "The APRC is bigger than NUP." He added, "The National Reconciliation Party is bigger than NUP" and "It is bigger than Unite." These comparisons serve to diminish the perceived strength of the newly formed opposition alliances by contrasting them with the established and larger parties within the NPP-led coalition. Njie emphasized the unity within the NPP-led coalition, saying, "We all have one candidate," and "There will be one photo of the entire coalition," which he identified as "the image of President Adama Barrow." This notes the singular focus and unified messaging of the NPP and its partners. He dismissed concerns about the coalition's stability, stating, "There is no problem." Regarding criticisms of President Barrow, Njie called them "false" and "very unfair to President Barrow, to Gambians and to the National People’s Party." He noted, "For the first time in the history of The Gambia, a government is constructing roads and infrastructure with local funds." Njie concluded by asserting the NPP's popularity, stating, "The majority of the Gambians are members of the National People’s Party." He referenced past electoral performance, saying, "In 2021, that was proven," and added, "In 2026, by the grace of Allah, that will be translated again into votes." He expressed certainty that "the absolute majority of the Gambian people are with the National People’s Party because they want continuity." This full statement from Honourable Njie encapsulates the NPP's confidence, its strategic assessment of the opposition, and its core campaign messages centered on development and stability.
Campaign Themes and Government Record
Honourable Seedy S.K. Njie stated that the National People’s Party expects Gambians to cast their votes based on the government’s development record, peace and stability, and the improvement of socio-economic well-being. Njie elaborated, "Gambians will vote based on the development trajectory of the country," adding that "They will vote based on peace and stability" and "They will vote based on the improvement of the socio-economic well-being of the citizenry." He also noted "the mammoth infrastructural development" as a key factor in the upcoming elections, positioning these achievements as central to the NPP's appeal to voters. The party's strategy is to show tangible progress and positive changes under the current administration.
The government has strengthened accountability through public finance reforms, a measure aimed at improving financial oversight and ensuring responsible management of state resources. Njie emphasized the current administration's commitment to infrastructure development, noting, "For the first time in the history of The Gambia, a government is constructing roads and infrastructure with local funds." This particular claim suggests a shift towards greater financial independence and a reduction in reliance on external funding for critical development projects, portraying the government as fiscally responsible and effective. Another significant institutional reform mentioned is the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission, which was created by the government through an Act of Parliament to combat corruption. This initiative is presented as a testament to the government's dedication to transparency and good governance, aiming to address public concerns about corruption and enhance trust in public institutions.
Njie also claimed that the majority of Gambians are members of the National People’s Party, an assertion he stated was "proven" in the 2021 elections and would "be translated again into votes" in 2026. He expressed certainty that "the absolute majority of the Gambian people are with the National People’s Party because they want continuity." He further asserted, "Our supporters will remain and increase," projecting sustained growth in the party's base. These claims reflect the NPP's confidence in its popular mandate and its belief that its policies and performance resonate deeply with the electorate. The repeated reference to past electoral success and future projections aims to build momentum and convey an image of an unstoppable political force heading into the December polls.