#Headlines

Opposition parties say they have advanced in coalition talks

Apr 2, 2026, 11:24 AM

Press release

As the voter registration process for the Presidential election approaches, the APeX Coalition Building Project (the CBP), comprising All People’s Party Sobeyaa (APP Sobeyaa), Gambia For All (GFA), National Unity Party (NUP), Tabax Rewmi, United Democratic Party (UDP), and Unite Movement for Change (UMC) (collectively, the negotiating parties), write to urge all Gambians who desire meaningful change, to register to vote. We also urge Gambians in the Diaspora to encourage their friends and family members to do likewise. 

In the spirit of transparency, we also wish to update the general public on the progress being made in our ongoing dialogue aimed at establishing a formidable opposition coalition that is capable of winning the Presidential elections scheduled for 5th December 2026.

The talks are progressing cordially, with mutual respect and decorum as the negotiating parties continue to demonstrate serious commitment in the national interest. Through extensive and rigorous consultations, the negotiating parties have reached an agreement on several foundational issues. In the meantime, however, the parties are deliberating actively on the following:

  • Shared Government: Considerable progress has been made in discussing the criteria for the shared governance, an arrangement that is inclusive and fair, which will ensure a stable, collectively responsible, and accountable coalition government.
  • Reform-Driven Agenda: Consideration is being given to anchoring any future coalition on a clearly articulated five-year national reform and development programme.
  • Flagbearer Selection: Discussions are now ongoing on the selection of a coalition flagbearer, through a democratic and transparent process.

As negotiations are still ongoing in line with standard democratic negotiation practices, all negotiating parties are operating based on the strict, conventional principle that ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’. At this stage, no binding legal agreement has been signed.

The CBP remain a highly inclusive initiative. We recognise the importance of working towards a broad national consensus. Therefore, any opposition political party, movement, or Presidential aspirant wishing to engage with this ongoing process is invited to express their interest by emailing: application@gamapex.org.