Bensouda pledges greater autonomy for Gambian local councils
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kerr Fatou
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the Coalition 2026 candidate in Gambia's presidential election, pledges to give local councils greater autonomy, financial resources and institutional support if elected. He says these authorities should be able to act without discrimination based on the political affiliation of their leaders, according to Kerr Fatou.
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, outgoing mayor of Kanifing and Coalition 2026 candidate in Gambia's presidential election, has pledged to grant local councils greater autonomy, financial resources and institutional support if elected president. He believes local councils know the needs of their communities better but often lack sufficient resources and independence, according to Kerr Fatou.
Bensouda said his experience of more than eight years at the head of the Kanifing municipal council had been marked by political interference and institutional restrictions that limited his actions. He pledged to guarantee fair treatment for local councils, regardless of the political affiliation of their elected officials, according to Kerr Fatou.
The candidate also called for the next Kanifing administration to continue projects launched during his term as mayor. He called on residents to continue supporting the municipal council while demanding results from their elected officials, according to Kerr Fatou.
The proposal comes after Bensouda's commitments on governance and security reforms, announced on 28 October, and his promises of social reforms on 29 October. It is also part of his campaign following his accusations against Gambian President Adama Barrow concerning his candidacy and the exclusion of Coalition 2026 announced on 2 November.
