The Civic Scribe: Articles & Poems

BANJUL, The Gambia—In a small nation celebrated for its 2016 democratic revolution, a crisis is unfolding within the United Democratic Party (UDP), The Gambia’s largest opposition force. As the 2026 presidential election approaches, the UDP—once a symbol of resistance against dictatorship—is tearing itself apart over an agonizing question: Should 76-year-old leader Ousainou Darboe, a five-time presidential loser, run yet again? The answer could determine not just the party’s survival, but the fragility of Gambian democracy itself.

The Hero’s Dilemma: Legacy vs. Renewal

Darboe is no ordinary politician. For decades, he embodied Gambia’s democratic hopes. He founded the UDP in 1996 under Yahya Jammeh’s brutal regime, endured imprisonment after the murder of activist Solo Sandeng, and helped engineer the coalition that ousted Jammeh. To supporters, he remains a revered figure—a symbol of sacrifice.

Yet today, Darboe’s insistence on leading the UDP into a sixth presidential race has exposed generational fractures and existential anxieties. Younger members argue that his age, health, and electoral record demand succession. The rebellion is palpable:

• Mayor Talib Bensouda, 38, has emerged as a popular alternative, touring the country to declare the UDP can “win in 2026” with new energy.
• Senior UDP figures like Yankuba Darboe have threatened to quit if Bensouda leads, accusing him of “elite politics” disconnected from rural voters.
• Dissenting voices, including diaspora members, have faced expulsion for urging Darboe to step aside.

The Illusion of Party Ownership

This infighting reveals a devastating paradox: A party born to champion democracy is failing its internal test. The UDP’s constitution enshrines ideals of inclusivity, yet dissent is often met with purges. This pattern mirrors the “family business” politics the UDP claims to oppose.

Worse, the succession crisis has devolved into personality cults over principles. Loyalists invoke Darboe’s historic struggles, while Bensouda’s backers tout his mayoral record. Missing is substantive debate on policy—even as youth unemployment soars and President Barrow’s unmet promises fuel despair.

Democracy’s Domino Effect

The implications extend far beyond one party:

1. Gambia’s Fragile Democracy: The UDP’s disarray risks voter disillusionment. With ethnic tensions rising, the opposition’s weakness could accelerate democratic backsliding.
2. NPP’s Golden Opportunity: President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP) is exploiting this chaos. Defections from the UDP and absorption of Jammeh-era factions guarantee Barrow a consolidated base against a splintered opposition.
3. Regional Precarity: In a region rocked by coups, The Gambia cannot afford internal fragmentation.

The Youth Question

Most tragically, the UDP is squandering a generational mandate. Gambia’s median age is 17.6 years, and youth leaders articulate bold agendas—from agricultural reform to digital innovation. Yet their voices are drowned out by leadership squabbles. Bensouda’s appeal reflects hunger for change, but his fate hinges on a system resisting renewal.

The Path Forward

The UDP still holds advantages: the largest opposition base and deep rural networks. To salvage 2026, it must:

• Embrace Internal Democracy: Hold an open leadership convention—not backroom deals.
• Define Ownership: The party belongs to members, not a patriarch.
• Prioritize Policy Over Personality: Focus on job creation and youth empowerment—not succession drama.

A Warning From History

In 2001, Darboe exemplified statesmanship by conceding defeat to Jammeh. Today, he faces a mirror test: Step aside to unify the party, or risk becoming the obstacle to the democracy he helped build.

The stakes transcend the UDP. If its leading opposition party cannot model internal renewal, it will gift Barrow unchecked power—and betray the martyrs who dreamed of a free Gambia.