Bensouda resigns as Kanifing mayor ahead of presidential election
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on The Point
Talib Ahmed Bensouda resigned on 6 November as mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, in The Gambia, to prepare his candidacy for the 5 December 2026 presidential election. He also left his municipal councillor position, in line with constitutional rules on presidential eligibility.
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, mayor of Kanifing, The Gambia, resigned on 6 November to prepare for his nomination as a candidate in the 5 December 2026 presidential election. He also left his seat on the municipal council, citing Section 90(1) of The Gambia's Constitution, which sets the conditions for eligibility for the presidency, The Point reports.
Bensouda said he wanted to use his presidential candidacy to remove obstacles that, in his view, constrain local authorities, and ensure municipal councils receive institutional support regardless of their political affiliation. He said local authorities should be regarded as partners in national development, according to The Point.
The resignation comes as presidential hopefuls for the 5 December election continue the procedures required for their nomination, The Point reports. Bensouda had filed his candidacy for the Gambian presidential election on 7 November, one day after resigning as mayor.
