By: Fatou Krubally
In a bold move, Marie Sock, a Gambian presidential aspirant, has announced her independent bid for the 2026 elections, urging citizens to embrace women’s leadership and a new political approach rooted in unity and accountability.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Voice Newspaper on Saturday, Sock emphasized that the country has long been led by men, with little tangible progress for ordinary Gambians. “We have tried three male presidents. Cabinets are 90 percent male. Women are better organizers, better planners. It is time to put women up front,” she said, highlighting the role of women in households and corporate leadership as evidence of their capacity to govern effectively.
Sock, an Aku by heritage, said her decision to run independently through the Alliance of Social Democrats was deliberate. She criticized party politics for promoting tribalism and favouritism, explaining that her movement will act as a pressure group to hold leadership accountable once she assumes office. “For any president to lead properly, you need unity. We are from diverse groups in The Gambia, and we must bring the country back to a united state,” she said.
Sock outlined her priorities for the first five years, with a strong focus on food sustainability, local economic development, and digitalizing government services. “I already have a rice project ready to put food on the table immediately, reduce imports, and strengthen the economy. Our money should be powerful again,” she said.
She also called for a transparent system of term limits, promising accountability and measurable progress. “Every five years, leaders should be voted on, with a maximum tenure of ten years. This ensures leaders work for the people, not for power,” she said.
Sock further appealed to Gambians to think critically and embrace change. “The time has come for women to lead Gambia. We are ready, and we will serve,” she said, urging citizens to prioritize unity, competence, and practical solutions over political theatrics.
Meanwhile, Marie Sock, has made a striking statement about party loyalty, saying she would have handled the situation differently if she were in the shoes of UDP’s Talib Bensouda. She stresses that leadership requires patience, commitment, and a focus on long-term national interests rather than party politics or opportunism. “If I were Talib, I would still be in UDP. Leadership is about patience and commitment, not opportunism,” she said, emphasizing the importance of staying the course even when political challenges arise.
Sock, who is running as an independent candidate backed by the Alliance of Social Democrats, used the example to underline her broader vision for The Gambia: unity, accountability, and effective governance. While she is championing women’s leadership, she believes that lessons in political loyalty and perseverance apply to all leaders.
She highlighted the frequent focus on personal gain and political maneuvering in Gambian politics. “Gambians are tired of politicians focused on crowds and political gain rather than public service,” Sock said. By contrast, she says her approach prioritizes tangible results, citizen well-being, and consistent leadership.
The presidential aspirant also shared her thoughts on maturity in leadership, noting that men often reach full political maturity later in life. “Men become mature in their 40s. Women mature faster. If you start early, you can handle responsibilities and make impactful decisions sooner,” she said.
Her remarks come as Gambians prepare for the 2026 elections, amid debates on party loyalty, independent candidacies, and the role of women in leadership. Sock’s candidacy, she says, represents a chance to bring a fresh perspective to national politics while upholding principles of accountability and fairness.
Concluding her statement on party loyalty, Sock reiterated that true leadership is about resilience and long-term vision. “We need leaders who stay committed, who think about the country first. That is how we move forward,” she said, making her stance clear on the importance of principled political participation.
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By: Fatou Krubally In a bold move, Marie Sock, a Gambian presidential aspirant, has announced her independent bid for the…
The post Marie Sock Declares: “Time for Women to Lead Gambia” appeared first on .
