Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of UNITE and Coalition 2026, has vowed to end the presence of ECOMIG forces in The Gambia and close their military bases, including the base in Bwiam, if elected president in the December 5 presidential election.
Bensouda made the pledge while speaking to supporters during an outreach meeting in Bwiam, Foni, over the weekend, where he said the responsibility for protecting the country should primarily be placed in the hands of Gambian security forces.
His promise comes against the backdrop of longstanding concerns among some residents in Foni over the continued presence of ECOMIG troops in the region.
Bensouda told supporters that, if elected, his administration would bring the ECOMIG mission to an end and ensure that national security is firmly under Gambian control.
“Under President Talib Bensouda, the security of The Gambia will be in the hands of Gambians,” he said.
He added that under his leadership, The Gambia would say bye-bye to ECOMIG.
The Coalition 2026 leader presented the planned withdrawal of ECOMIG as part of his position on national security, arguing that Gambian security forces should take primary responsibility for safeguarding the country.
ECOMIG has maintained a presence in The Gambia since the political crisis that followed the 2016 presidential election. Its continued presence, particularly in Foni, has remained an issue of concern among some residents in the region.
Bensouda also used the meeting to position UNITE and Coalition 2026 as the strongest political alternative to President Adama Barrow ahead of the December election.
He told supporters that the movement was capable of defeating the incumbent in the presidential race.
For Bensouda, the message to voters in Foni was clear under his leadership, the security of The Gambia would be placed primarily in the hands of Gambians, while the ECOMIG mission would come to an end.
