The call for a national conference to discuss the formation of a broad-based political coalition ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election deserves serious public attention. At a time when the country is preparing for another crucial electoral contest, any initiative aimed at bringing political actors and citizens together should be judged by its commitment to national interest, democratic principles and accountability.
The Team Gambia 2026 Initiative says its six-month consultations have produced a recommendation for a National Conference on September 12. The proposed gathering would bring together political parties, movements, civil society organisations and concerned citizens to consider the establishment of a coalition and agree on a programme for the 2026 electoral cycle.
There is nothing inherently wrong with coalition politics. Indeed, alliances can provide voters with credible alternatives and prevent the fragmentation of opposition forces. However, coalitions must be built on more than the desire to defeat an incumbent. They require clear principles, transparent agreements, realistic programmes and mechanisms for resolving differences.
The proposal for an inclusive transitional government and time-bound constitutional and institutional reforms also raises important questions. Such proposals must be subjected to broad public scrutiny. Gambians deserve to know precisely what reforms are being proposed, how long a transition would last, who would oversee it and what safeguards would prevent another concentration of political power.
Equally important is the participation of ordinary citizens. Farmers, workers, women, young people, persons with disabilities, the diaspora and victims of past abuses should not merely be invited to endorse decisions already made by political leaders. Their voices must meaningfully shape the coalition’s priorities and manifesto.
The September 12 conference could therefore become an important moment in The Gambia’s democratic journey. But its success will depend on openness, inclusiveness and honesty.
Gambians do not need another political arrangement built around personalities. They need a credible national project founded on institutions, accountability and the common good.
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