By Sering Mass Jallow
Ebrima Nyang, Secretary of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has warned that Mayor Talib Bensouda will need a “serious team” if he intends to pursue his presidential ambitions.
His remarks followed a report in local media that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reportedly rejected the registration of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC) over insufficient nominations.
“It is disappointing to learn that the UMC could not meet the required threshold of 10,000 nominees to register the party, despite significant attention on social media,” Nyang said. He added that claims circulating online, suggesting the party registered 30,000 members within a month of its formation, were inconsistent with realities on the ground.
Nyang referred to the experiences of older parties, including the Gambia Action Party (GAP) and the GDC, noting that they successfully navigated the party registration process despite challenges during former President Yahya Jammeh’s era, when electoral amendments made registration difficult.
He emphasizes that Mayor Bensouda has considerable work ahead, noting: “A setback for one opposition is a setback for all opposition candidates.”
Nyang also highlights that although party registration is now easier than ever, UMC must pass this critical test. He linked the party’s recent difficulties to internal management issues, warning that “the movement will not have a better future if entirely left in the hands of those more willing to work for themselves than the collective mission.”