BREAKING NEWS GAMBIA 13 JUNE 2025

 "TALIB WANTS TO RUN UNDER UDP IN 2026, BUT…," US-Based Businessman Alleges.

Banjul, The Gambia — Alhassan Alex Darboe, a prominent US-based Gambian real estate investor and social commentator, has made bold claims regarding the internal dynamics of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the alleged presidential ambitions of Kanifing Municipality Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda.

Speaking on PYFC TV, Mr. Darboe alleged that Mayor Bensouda harbors intentions to contest under the UDP banner in the 2026 presidential elections—an ambition he believes is being tactically masked from the public eye.

> “Take it for granted or rather take it as a special case—Mayor Talib Bensouda is moving like a man with presidential ambitions in 2026. He is talking and moving like it. Everyone is pretending like it is not happening,” Mr. Darboe stated.

He cited Bensouda's substantial financial investments into women's groups and youth political movements across The Gambia and even Senegal as evidence that the KM Mayor is not simply focused on municipal leadership but has national ambitions.

> “Why would a smart businessman and politician pour so much personal money into women’s groups and political circles across The Gambia and Senegal if you’re not eyeing 2026 presidential elections under a UDP ticket?” he questioned.

Mr. Darboe further suggested a potential tension within the UDP’s leadership succession plan, insinuating that a conversation between current party leader Ousainou Darboe and Mayor Bensouda is inevitable.

> “Between Bensouda and Lawyer Darboe, someone has to talk. Either Darboe tells Talib to slow down because he’s not stepping aside yet—or Talib needs to be honest and say, ‘Dad, I’m ready to lead, time is ticking and I need you to step aside,’” he added.

He concluded by stating that Gambians do not need “a PhD in politics” to recognize the signs, adding: “Talib wants to run under UDP in 2026 but doesn’t want to be seen to be pushing out our good old man.”

Mr. Darboe’s remarks have already stirred debate across political circles, raising further questions about UDP’s leadership future and its direction heading into the 2026 general elections.