By Fatou Krubally
The Coalition for System Change (CSC) has announced the establishment of an interim committee to guide consultations for a potential opposition alliance ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
The move follows a day-long engagement that brought together political party leaders, presidential hopefuls, civil society organisations (CSOs), and media representatives to explore a framework for opposition unity.
According to CSC officials, the interim committee will comprise two representatives from each political party or movement expressing interest in the coalition. Its mandate includes setting up specialised sub-committees to develop a memorandum of understanding, selection criteria, and procedures to steer the coalition-building process.
Participants met in mixed breakout groups, combining political, civil society, and media representatives, to discuss leadership structures and measures to ensure inclusiveness. Key proposed sub-committees include negotiation, fundraising, media and communications, logistics, legal and constitutional affairs, diaspora engagement, policy development, elections, campaign coordination, ethics, and conflict resolution.
Speakers underscored that a strong coalition would require early planning, clear rules, and shared commitment, noting that previous coalition efforts were undermined by weak enforcement mechanisms and internal disagreements. Some participants warned that multiple opposition coalitions could fragment the opposition, reducing the chances of unseating the incumbent in 2026. Transparency, inclusivity, and accountability were cited as essential throughout the process.
CSC organisers said the coalition’s secretariat will continue coordinating activities until the interim committee is fully operational. Notes from the consultations will be compiled and shared with stakeholders as working documents to guide the next stage of engagement.
In closing, CSC leaders urged all interested parties to remain engaged, describing the initiative as the start of an ongoing process rather than a one-off event, and called for sustained collaboration ahead of the 2026 elections.