The Civic Scribe: Articles & Poems

As the UDP chooses its leader, it must decide between veteran struggle-hero politics and a new vision for the future

In the bustling streets of Banjul, Serrekunda, and Brikama, a political drama is unfolding that encapsulates Africa’s democratic struggle between past and future. The United Democratic Party (UDP), The Gambia’s largest opposition force, stands at a precipice as it chooses its flag bearer for the 2026 presidential election. The contest pits Ousainou Darboe, the party’s 73-year-old foundational leader who has run for president five times before, against Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the 38-year-old mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council who represents a new generation of Gambian leadership. The outcome will determine not just who challenges incumbent President Adama Barrow but whether Gambian politics can successfully transition from struggle-era hero worship to issue-based governance. The UDP’s internal succession battle offers a microcosm of Africa’s broader democratic challenges—where liberation movements and opposition parties that emerged from dictatorship often struggle to navigate leadership transitions. The Gambia’s unusual electoral system—where voters deposit marbles in colored drums corresponding to candidates—will test whether the UDP can modernize not just its leadership but its appeal to young Gambians yearning for change.

The Weight of History and Darboe’s Legacy

Ousainou Darboe is no ordinary politician. For nearly three decades, he has been synonymous with democratic resistance in The Gambia. As a human rights lawyer who founded the UDP in 1996, he led the party through the darkest days of Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship. His imprisonment in 2016—after demanding the release of tortured activist Solo Sandeng, who died in custody—catapulted him to international recognition and cemented his status as The Gambia’s Mandela. His release helped galvanize the coalition that brought current President Adama Barrow to power in a surprising electoral upset. Darboe’s political career is distinguished by what analysts call “profound courage and resilience”. Having lost five presidential elections, his decision to seek a sixth run at age 73 speaks to both his determination and the UDP’s difficulty in cultivating successors. His application, submitted on August 26, sets the stage for what would be his final political campaign—a last attempt to capture the presidency that has eluded him for so long. Supporters argue that Darboe embodies the principles and steadfastness the UDP represents. “With all his shortcomings, UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe is still the best candidate for UDP,” commented one Gambian on social media, citing his “maturity, experience, statesmanship, eloquence on policy, governance & political issues, competency and popularity”.

The New Generation: Talib Ahmed Bensouda’s Challenge

Standing against Darboe is Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the young mayor whose formal application made him the first confirmed aspirant for the UDP ticket. At 38, Bensouda represents a different vision for the UDP—one that appeals to urban voters and younger Gambians who may respect Darboe’s legacy but crave more dynamic leadership. As mayor of Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia’s most populous urban center, Bensouda has built a reputation as a competent administrator focused on local issues and development. His candidacy has sparked enthusiastic support among those who believe the UDP needs renewal to defeat Barrow. Bensouda’s supporters point to his progressive image and urban appeal as essential assets for a party that needs to expand its base beyond traditional strongholds. His mayoral track record provides evidence of executive capability that could translate well to a national campaign.

The Kingmaker: Yankuba Darboe’s Volatile Role

Complicating this already tense succession battle is Yankuba Darboe (no relation to Ousainou), the chairman of Brikama Area Council and another powerful UDP figure. Though he has announced he will not seek the flag bearer position, stating “my words are my bond” in deference to Ousainou Darboe, his influence within the party remains substantial. Yankuba has emerged as a vocal opponent of Bensouda’s candidacy, threatening to leave the UDP if the younger politician becomes leader. “If Talib becomes leader, I’m out,” he declared in an explosive interview. “The UDP must stay true to its principles, not hand the reins to someone who lacks the grassroots connection Ousainou embodies”. His comments reveal the fierce resistance Bensouda faces from party traditionalists who view him as an outsider lacking “struggle credentials.” Yankuba accuses Bensouda of practicing “elite politics” disconnected from the UDP’s rural base and warns that his leadership could mirror the very governance flaws the UDP criticizes in President Barrow’s administration. This tension between established party structures and new voices reflects a common challenge for political organizations worldwide, but it carries particular weight in The Gambia, where parties often revolve around dominant personalities rather than institutional platforms.

The Constitutional and Democratic Context

The UDP’s internal contest occurs against a backdrop of broader constitutional issues in The Gambia. The failed 2020 draft constitution, which would have established a two-term presidential limit, remains a point of contention, with Ousainou Darboe accusing Barrow of obstructing the process to extend his hold on power. The current constitution allows Barrow to seek a third term, which he intends to do. The flag bearer selection process itself has faced criticism over transparency and fairness. Prominent lawyer Lamin J. Darboe (another non-relative) ruled himself out of the race, criticizing the party’s “unrealistic” requirement to renounce dual citizenship within 14 days as potentially designed to favor Ousainou Darboe. He also questioned the UDP’s internal democracy, referencing the 2021 race where “despite multiple applicants, only Ousainou Darboe was granted a hearing”. These concerns highlight the challenge of democratic succession within political parties across Africa, where founding leaders often maintain disproportionate influence long after their initial electoral successes.

Implications for 2026 and Beyond

The UDP’s decision carries significant implications for The Gambia’s political future. President Barrow and his National People’s Party (NPP) await a weakened opposition, hoping that UDP infighting will bolster their chances in 2026. Many observers believe that another Darboe candidacy would all but guarantee Barrow’s reelection.

“With all respect,” commented one Gambian online, “I believe [Darboe] is still the best candidate for UDP… [but] the consequence of that move is already predictable – Barrow will secure a third term!”.

The generational divide within the UDP reflects broader societal tensions in The Gambia, where young people increasingly demand greater political participation and representation. The country’s demographic profile—with a median age of just 17.9 years—suggests that a party embracing youth leadership might have long-term advantages, even if it faces short-term internal resistance. Whoever emerges as the UDP’s standard-bearer will need to heal internal divisions and build a coalition capable of challenging Barrow’s incumbency advantage. This may require incorporating elements of both visions—honoring the party’s history and struggle credentials while embracing new energy and approaches.

An African Story in a Gambian Context

The UDP’s succession struggle tells a story familiar across Africa: revolutionary movements turned political parties struggling to transition from founding leaders to next-generation leadership. From South Africa’s ANC to Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF and beyond, many African parties have faced similar crises when charismatic founders resist passing the torch. What makes The Gambia’s case particularly compelling is its democratic momentum following Jammeh’s ouster. The country’s continued transition toward democratic consolidation depends on robust party competition and peaceful alternation of power—neither of which has yet occurred since Barrow’s election in 2016. The UDP’s internal contest represents more than just a personality clash; it embodies the central question facing many post-dictatorship societies: How do you honor sacrificial leadership while embracing the future? How do parties built around resistance to tyranny transform themselves into governing vehicles capable of addressing contemporary challenges?

As the September 2 application deadline passes and the UDP moves toward its selection process, all Gambians—and observers of democracy across Africa—will be watching closely. The party’s decision will either reaffirm the enduring power of legacy leadership or signal a bold step toward political renewal. Either way, The Gambia’s democracy will be shaped by this choice for years to come. The marbles will soon be cast—both literally and figuratively—determining not just who leads the UDP into the 2026 election, but what kind of democracy The Gambia becomes.