Veteran Gambian opposition leader Ousainou Darboe has formally entered the race for the country’s December 5, 2026 presidential election, declaring that the contest will be his sixth and final attempt to secure the nation’s highest political office.
The 78-year-old leader of the United Democratic Party submitted his nomination documents to the chairman of the country’s electoral commission, completing the constitutional requirements for his candidacy.
The documents included his citizenship records, declaration of assets and 5,000 supporting signatures required under the country’s electoral laws.
Darboe has contested every presidential election in The Gambia since 1996, making him one of the country’s most enduring opposition figures.
His political career has also included a period in government, during which he served as foreign minister and vice-president under President Adama Barrow.
However, the relationship between the two politicians deteriorated in 2019, leading to a political split that further reshaped the country’s opposition landscape.
Speaking after submitting his nomination, Darboe pledged to tackle corruption, improve economic opportunities and address the challenges confronting ordinary Gambians.
He criticised the country’s economic management, arguing that inadequate economic policies had contributed to unemployment and encouraged young people to undertake dangerous migration journeys to Europe in search of better opportunities.
His campaign is expected to focus on governance, economic recovery, employment creation and the need to strengthen public institutions.
The presidential election comes at a significant moment for The Gambia, as voters assess the performance of the current administration and consider competing proposals for the country’s economic and political future.
The electoral commission is expected to announce on November 16 whether the submitted nominations have met all legal requirements.
Darboe’s declaration that this will be his final presidential campaign adds a significant dimension to the contest, particularly as the veteran opposition figure seeks to convert decades of political experience into an electoral victory.
