By Arret Jatta
The Team Gambia Grand Coalition 2026 has set 17th to 30th October for the selection of its presidential candidate ahead of the December election.
According to a press release issued by the coalition coordinators, Halifa Sallah and Sidia Jatta, the decision followed a national conference held at Paradise Suites on 12th September.
The press release stated that the conference was convened after months of consultations under the Team Gambia 2026 Consultative Initiative, which began on 2nd March.
It said the consultation involved 13 political parties, eight political movements, eight civil society organisations and 22 individual stakeholders, including academics, professionals, trade unionists, business leaders, religious leaders and persons with disabilities.
The press release stated that participants spent five hours discussing the draft coalition agreement before adopting it and either signing the agreement or declaring their reservations.
It said the conference adopted the name Team Gambia Grand Coalition 2026 and elected Mariama Khan and Victoria Chizoba Okwuanalu to assist the coordinators. The coalition is also expected to include male and female youth representatives and representatives of persons with disabilities.
According to the press release, the coalition will first embark on a nationwide tour from 2nd to 16th October to explain its goals and objectives to voters.
The tour will cover the north and south banks of the country, the West Coast Region, Kanifing and Banjul municipalites, before the coalition proceeds with the selection of its presidential flag-bearer by 30th October.
It further stated that the coalition plans to build its structures and adopt a draft manifesto by 30th September.
The coalition agreement describes Team Gambia 2026 as a platform for consultation with civil society and other stakeholders, while political parties, movements, independent aspirants and concerned citizens will participate in selecting and supporting coalition candidates during the 2026–2027 electoral cycle.
The press release also said the coalition will serve as a transitional administration throughout the tenure of its elected representatives and will be dissolved after completing a five-year mandate.