NUP annouces withdrawal from opposition coalition talks

The National Unity Party (NUP) has made the decision to officially withdraw from the ongoing discussions for the proposed CHANGE Coalition. This announcement marks the end of the party’s involvement in an 18-month dialogue, which was facilitated by the APEX Initiative in preparation for The Gambia’s presidential election in December 2026.
In a statement released on August 14, 2026, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) confirmed that they will not be signing the proposed CHANGE Coalition Agreement. This decision was made after careful consideration of their strategic priorities and obligations to their members, following extensive internal consultations.
The party’s departure is a setback for the opposition’s efforts to present a unified candidate against President Adama Barrow and the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). However, NUP, under the leadership of Dr Lamin J. Darbo, has praised the APEX Initiative for their role in facilitating the talks. They have stated that their decision to withdraw does not diminish their respect for the facilitators or the other parties involved in the process.
In their statement, NUP expressed deep gratitude to the APEX Initiative for their exceptional leadership, professionalism, and commitment to promoting dialogue among opposition stakeholders.