By: Nyima Sillah
Lamin Manneh, a senior official of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), has rejected claims of division within the party and predicted that Ousainou Darboe will be Gambia’s Mandela come 2026 presidential race.
Speaking to The Voice in an exclusive interview on Monday, Mr. Manneh who is the deputy secretary for external affairs reaffirms UDP’s commitment to inclusive and democratic leadership.
He says the UDP remains the most inclusive political institution in the country, with deliberate efforts to empower women and marginalized groups.
“We are the only party where four out of the five top officials are women, and none of them are Mandinka. That’s not an accident. We believe women should lead. One of our female candidates won in the largest constituency, and another won the mayoral seat. We are changing the culture,” he emphasized.
He adds that the party also promotes representation of differently-abled Gambians, asserting that the blind and the physically challenged are all part of their leadership structure and they give them space to decide for themselves. This, he said, should make their party the least likely to be accused of any form of segregation or sectionalism.
Furthermore, Manneh addressed the controversy surrounding UDP’s West Coast Chair Yankuba Darboe, acknowledging that his recent comments may have been poorly phrased. “What Yankuba said didn’t come out well, especially at a time like this. But he is one of the most inclusive leaders we have not just in the party, but in the country. The Brikama Area Council under him includes all ethnicities and political affiliations,” he pointed out.
He warned against political actors using the incident to spread misinformation. “Some people are trying to exploit this moment for their own agendas. They are saying UDP is divided, but it’s not. We are a democratic institution. People speak freely, and we address issues collectively,” Manneh emphasized.
He confirmed that prominent figures within the UDP who have been speculated to succeed Darboe have all pledged not to run in 2026 if Darboe declared his candidacy. “They’ve said it openly. But some supporters are kicking up dust to stir confusion. We won’t let them divide us. We’re not that kind of bank,” he stressed.
The Deputy Secretary for External Affairs reiterated his support for Darboe for the presidency in 2026, comparing him to South Africa’s revered leader. “I believe Ousainou will be another Mandela for Gambia, a one-term president who sets the country right and hands it over to a new generation. If elected and I say when he is elected, in shaa Allah he will serve one term and step aside. That’s leadership,” he asserted.
Manneh says the party is already looking beyond 2026. “Talented young and not-so-young people are ready to lead by 2031. That is the vision. If anyone is preparing to contest, they should look ahead to 2031, as Ousainou will win 2026 with the help of Allah,” he added.
He called on all party members to uphold UDP’s values and avoid provocations. “Let’s remain who we are, an inclusive, honest party that speaks with sincerity. Sometimes we’re misunderstood, but we’ll keep fighting for what this country stands for. We are the UDP the people will trust in 2026. Let us move past the noise and focus on the mission,” Manneh emphasized.
