The latest crisis within Coalition 2026 is a troubling development that should concern not only the political parties involved, but every Gambian who hopes to see a credible and united opposition emerge ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
The call by Professor Yero Mballow, Chairman of the Coalition Mediation Committee (CMC), and Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, Senior Mediator and former Vice-President, for an independent investigation into allegations of inducement and misconduct in the flagbearer selection process deserves serious attention.
These allegations must not be dismissed as another disagreement among politicians. Nor should they be used as an excuse to destroy the coalition. They should instead be investigated promptly, independently and transparently so that the truth can be established.
Coalition 2026 was established with the stated objective of bringing opposition parties and political stakeholders together in the national interest. Such an undertaking requires trust. Once allegations of inducement, manipulation or misconduct emerge, that trust is inevitably weakened.
The decision by APP-Sobeyaa to withdraw from the coalition talks, citing concerns over the conduct of the mediation committee and alleged inducements, has further exposed the fragility of the process. Whether these allegations are ultimately proven or dismissed, the coalition cannot simply move forward as if nothing has happened.
The recommendation for a two-week suspension of the voting process should therefore be considered seriously. A temporary pause may be inconvenient, but it is far less damaging than proceeding with a process whose credibility is being questioned by participating stakeholders.
Political coalitions are built on compromise, but compromise should never mean compromising principles. If Coalition 2026 genuinely seeks to offer Gambians an alternative to the current political order, it must demonstrate from its own internal processes that transparency, fairness and accountability are not merely campaign slogans.
The CMC’s call for parties and stakeholders to preserve relevant evidence is equally important. Any investigation must be based on facts rather than rumours, accusations or political interests. Those found responsible for wrongdoing should be held accountable, while those wrongly accused should have their names cleared.
The proposed emergency stakeholder meeting within seven days should provide an opportunity for all parties to speak frankly and find a credible way forward.
The Gambian electorate deserves better than another political arrangement driven by personalities and ambition. It deserves a coalition that respects its own rules and puts national interest above individual political calculations.
Coalition 2026 can still recover from this setback. But its leaders must understand that credibility cannot be negotiated, and a new Gambia cannot be built on compromised foundations.
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