By Omar Bah
Former vice president Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang has formally withdrawn her candidacy for the December 2026 presidential election and will instead dedicate herself to forging a united opposition coalition.
Announcing the decision at the CMTC coalition meeting last week, Tambajang said she is stepping aside to mediate and facilitate talks among opposition parties with the goal of delivering “real democratic change” for The Gambia.
A principal architect of the 2016 Coalition that ended Yahya Jammeh’s 22‑year rule, Tambajang framed her decision as service to the nation rather than a retreat from politics.
“My desire to see a better Gambia for the next generation is far greater than any personal ambition,” she said, adding that the country needs unity more than individual aspirations.
In her new role Tambajang will act as an impartial facilitator, convening parties, promoting constructive dialogue, and overseeing a transparent and inclusive coalition process.
She urged opposition leaders to approach negotiations with humility and willingness to compromise, warning that a divided opposition risks returning the country to the past they fought to leave behind.
“No single party can win this election alone,” Tambajang said, insisting that democratic leadership must never be treated as an entitlement and that power should rotate democratically. She framed the coalition effort as essential to restoring public confidence and protecting Gambians’ democratic rights.
Tambajang’s move reinserts a seasoned political strategist into the centre of opposition planning of the December vote. Her experience from 2016, she said, makes her uniquely suited to navigate the complex negotiations and safeguard the coalition’s credibility.
As the campaign season intensifies, Tambajang is hoping that opposition parties will now sail through urgent window to unify under the framework she will help craft.