Bensouda accuses Barrow of threatening democracy in The Gambia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kerr Fatou
Gambian presidential candidate Talib Ahmed Bensouda accuses Adama Barrow of seeking to remain in power and weakening democratic gains, warning of a risk of a return to dictatorship. At a rally in Old Yundum, he also denounced selective accountability, according to Kerr Fatou.
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the Coalition 2026 candidate in The Gambia’s presidential election, on Friday accused President Adama Barrow of threatening democratic gains by seeking to extend his time in power. “Dictatorship is returning to The Gambia,” he said at a rally in Old Yundum, according to Gambian media outlet Kerr Fatou.
The mayor of Kanifing Municipality, who also leads the UNITE Party, said a president should not serve more than two terms. He also accused the government of selectively prosecuting local officials, while more than 10 billion dalasis are alleged to have been misappropriated since 2018 at central government level, according to Auditor General reports cited by Kerr Fatou.
The remarks come as the government’s white paper on the commission of inquiry into local authorities recommends that Talib Ahmed Bensouda be removed as mayor. The elected official says municipal councillors will oppose his departure, according to Kerr Fatou.
Bensouda’s position extends his presidential campaign, following his promises of governance and security reforms on 28 October and social reforms on 29 October.
