By Kemo Kanyi
The APeX Coalition Building Project has unveiled the Coalition for Hope, Accountability, National Renewal, Good Governance and Equity (CHANGE), as opposition parties intensify preparations for The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.
In a statement issued Sunday and signed by APeX Chairperson Dr Jaye Krubally and Outreach Lead Demba Ali Jawo, the coalition said its formation followed more than 18 months of negotiations involving opposition political parties and movements.
According to APeX, the negotiations involved the All People’s Party (APP-Sobeyaa), Gambia For All (GFA), National Unity Party (NUP), Tabax Rewmi Movement, United Democratic Party (UDP) and, until its recent departure, UNITE.
The coalition said the name CHANGE reflects the shared commitment of the participating stakeholders to accountability, democratic reform and good governance.
APeX said the political stakeholders were currently considering the final draft Coalition Agreement, including a proposed process for selecting the coalition’s flagbearer.
The coalition agreement is expected to be formally adopted on 16 August 2026, according to the statement.
“The Flagbearer selection process is set to begin immediately and conclude by Sunday 30 August 2026. Full details of the Flagbearer selection process will be published in due course,” it said.
APeX described CHANGE as a platform aimed at bringing opposition forces together in pursuit of political change and urged other opposition parties, political movements and aspiring presidential candidates to join the coalition.
“We are stronger together by our numbers. Therefore, we encourage opposition political parties, political movements and aspiring candidates to join CHANGE,” the statement said.
The development comes as Gambian political parties continue to explore alliances ahead of the presidential election scheduled for December 2026.
APeX acknowledged that the negotiations had been challenging, commending the participating stakeholders for what it described as maturity, patriotism, mutual respect and a spirit of compromise.
It said the commitment to dialogue and consensus had laid the foundation for what it described as a transformative political partnership in the interest of the Gambian people.
APeX said further details on the flagbearer selection process would be released in due course.