The Gambia's electoral commission has announced five official candidates for the December presidential election. The list includes incumbent President Adama Barrow, who is running for a third term despite initial promises not to do so. Barrow heads the National People's Party (NPP) and rose to power in 2016, beating longtime Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh in a surprise upset. His election ended 22 years of rule by a regime accused of carrying out torture, using death squads, and many other abuses.
The country's main opposition leader, Ousainou Darboe, is also on the list. Darboe leads the United Democratic Party and is a former vice president. He is running for president for a fifth time, having finished each prior race as runner-up. The other candidates include Talib Ahmed Bensouda, a popular youth candidate who was until last week the mayor of a major Banjul suburb. Bensouda has gained a large following among The Gambia's youth in recent months and his rallies have drawn large crowds.
Bensouda's candidacy was threatened by a government report filed in late October, which recommended his removal from office and accused him of financial impropriety. His party called the report a "political manoeuvre". Despite this, the electoral commission has confirmed his nomination. The other two candidates are Isatou Touray, a physician and the country's first-ever woman presidential nominee, and Modou Lamin Sima, who represents the Alliance of Progressive Citizens (APC).
The electoral commission received 18 presidential nomination requests and met with each candidate to receive their paperwork over the course of 1.5 weeks. It is not immediately clear if more candidates are still to be named. The country heads to the polls on December 5, with two weeks of campaigning set to start next Monday. The Gambia's 1997 constitution allows for a president to serve more than two terms, but many initially believed Barrow would not do so.
Barrow's decision to run for a third term has been met with some opposition. In June, the country was hobbled by prolonged blackouts, which led to several nights of chaotic, spontaneous protests in which demonstrators blocked roads and called for Barrow to step down. Bensouda gained particular political traction during this time and his rallies drew large crowds, including in Barrow strongholds such as the Central River and Upper River regions.
The Gambia has a history of tumultuous politics. Yahya Jammeh, the dictator who ruled the country for 22 years, has been in exile in Equatorial Guinea since 2017. Despite his exile, Jammeh still has many supporters in his home country and often weighs in on its politics. The country's lawmakers have twice rejected draft constitutions that would have implemented presidential term limits.
The electoral commission's announcement formalises the nomination process and paves the way for the presidential election. The commission's decision to confirm Bensouda's nomination despite allegations of financial impropriety will likely be seen as a significant development in the country's politics. The election is set to take place on December 5, and the outcome will be closely watched by both Gambians and international observers.
Key points
- Incumbent President Adama Barrow is running for a third term despite initial promises not to do so.
- The country's main opposition leader, Ousainou Darboe, is running for president for a fifth time.
- The electoral commission received 18 presidential nomination requests, but only five candidates were confirmed.
