By Fatou Krubally
Coalition 2026 will formally seal its political partnership on Thursday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step in its efforts to build a united opposition platform ahead of December 5th presidential election.
The signing ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Paradise Hall No. 2, according to a statement issued by the coalition.
The development follows the coalition’s inaugural organizing committee meeting held on 18 August, which brought together representatives of political parties, movements and other stakeholders participating in the initiative.
Parties and movements involved include PASTEF The Gambia, Defending the Gambian Interest (GDI), the People’s Right Party (PRP), Forward Gambia (FORGAM), the National Reform Congress (NRC), the Gambia Movement for Progress (GMP), the Save The Gambia Movement (STGM) and the UNITE Party.
The coalition also announced that the National Development Association (NDA), the Patriotic Nationalist Platform (PNP), the Movement of National Unity (MONU) and Professor Yerro Mballow, Chairman of the Coalition Mediation Committee, have joined or returned to the process.
According to the statement, Coalition 2026 remains open to welcoming additional political parties, movements and stakeholders before the formalization of the alliance.
It said consultations were continuing on governance structures, representation, a common political program, campaign coordination, communication strategy and election preparedness.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to national unity, democratic governance, transparency, accountability and dialogue, saying its objective is to establish an inclusive and credible political platform for the 2026 presidential election.
Thursday’s MoU signing is expected to mark the transition from consultations to a formal political partnership among the participating groups.