By Kemo Kanyi
The Gambia Movement for Progress (GMP), led by Professor Sidat Yaffa, has withdrawn from Coalition 2026, citing what it described as repeated breaches of the coalition’s agreements and concerns over its internal decision-making processes.
In a letter dated September 24 and addressed to Coalition 2026 flagbearer Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Yaffa said the decision was taken by the GMP Executive Committee following concerns raised at the coalition’s Governing Council meetings which, according to him, remained unresolved.
The withdrawal comes less than two months after Yaffa withdrew from the Coalition 2026 flagbearer contest and backed Bensouda, who emerged as the coalition’s standard-bearer. Contemporary reports confirmed that Yaffa and Bensouda were the final two contenders after Essa Mbye Faal withdrew from the process.
GMP cited the handling of a rally at the Brikama State Sports Park (SSP) among the reasons for its withdrawal.
The party said it was not given a speaking opportunity at the rally despite describing itself as the “deal breaker” during the August 8 selection of the coalition’s flagbearer. It further alleged that a person who was not a member of Coalition 2026 was given a speaking slot instead.
According to Yaffa, the incident was viewed by GMP as disrespectful to the party’s leadership.
The party also raised concerns over what it described as statements by some UNITE Party supporters portraying Coalition 2026 as primarily a UNITE Party initiative and referring to Bensouda as a UNITE flagbearer rather than the coalition’s flagbearer.
GMP further alleged that meetings were sometimes announced by Bensouda without prior discussion and approval by the coalition’s Governing Council.
“This violates Section 2.3 (Internal Democracy) of the National Unity Coalition Agreement and Article 4.3 (Collective Decision-Making) of Coalition 2026 MoU,” Yaffa said in the letter.
Another concern raised by GMP was that Bensouda had not suspended his UNITE Party membership or taken an oath of office after his selection as Coalition 2026 flagbearer.
Yaffa said GMP considered the alleged failure to comply with those provisions inconsistent with the coalition agreements and said the party could not remain in an arrangement where signed agreements were, in its view, not being respected.
“With all the above outlined anomalies, GMP feels that it would not be part of a coalition that seldom gives due respect to the signed Agreements,” he wrote.
GMP nevertheless acknowledged its contribution to the coalition negotiations, which it said lasted about 16 weeks, and wished Coalition 2026 success in its future activities.
Meanwhile, GMP National Coordinator Alimatou S. Sowe confirmed the party’s withdrawal and said Yaffa was expected to meet President Adama Barrow at State House on Tuesday for the formalisation of an alliance with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
The reported move would place Yaffa’s GMP among the political groups aligning with the NPP ahead of the December 5 presidential election, although the formal terms of the proposed alliance are yet to be publicly detailed.
The development further illustrates the continuing realignment of political parties and movements ahead of the 2026 presidential election, with several opposition groupings pursuing separate coalition arrangements.