The collapse of Coalition 2026 negotiations has reshaped the political landscape ahead of The Gambia’s December 5 presidential election. After months of discussions aimed at presenting a single opposition candidate, the withdrawal of the United Democratic Party (UDP) from the talks has effectively ended hopes of a united front against the incumbent, President Adama Barrow.
For many Gambians, this development is disappointing. Opposition parties had repeatedly assured the public that unity was essential to offer a credible alternative and strengthen democratic competition. Instead, disagreements over leadership, power-sharing and strategy have exposed deep divisions that now threaten to undermine their electoral prospects.
Coalition politics is never easy. It demands compromise, patience and the willingness to place national interests above party ambitions. While every political party has the right to defend its position, successful alliances are built on mutual concessions rather than rigid demands. The inability of opposition leaders to bridge their differences raises legitimate questions about whether they were prepared for the responsibilities of governing together.
The UDP maintains that, as the country’s largest opposition party, it has the strongest electoral base and therefore should lead any coalition. Other parties argue that leadership should emerge through consensus or another mutually acceptable process. Both positions have merit, but neither appears to have prevailed through meaningful compromise.
The immediate beneficiary of this political deadlock is the incumbent. In a first-past-the-post electoral system, a fragmented opposition often divides the anti-incumbent vote, increasing the chances of victory for the ruling party. This is not a new political reality; history has repeatedly shown that divided opposition parties frequently struggle to unseat those already in power.
Yet, while unity is desirable, it should not be pursued at the expense of principle. A coalition formed solely to win an election, without shared policies or trust among its members, may prove unstable if elected. Voters deserve more than political convenience; they deserve a clear vision for governance, economic recovery, job creation, education, healthcare and institutional reform.
As campaigning begins, opposition parties should avoid turning their frustrations against one another. Personal attacks will only deepen public disillusionment. Instead, they should present coherent policy alternatives and allow voters to judge their programmes on merit.
The failure of Coalition 2026 is a missed opportunity, but it need not define the election. Democracy ultimately belongs to the people, not political parties. Whether united or divided, those seeking public office must convince Gambians that they possess not only the ambition to govern, but also the leadership, maturity and vision required to move the nation forward.