The United Democratic Party (UDP) Media Team has issued a scathing rebuttal to what it describes as “baseless and reckless” allegations leveled by Momodou Sabally, President Adama Barrow’s newly appointed adviser and deputy campaign manager for the National People’s Party (NPP), against Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda. The UDP accuses Sabally, a former UDP campaign manager turned NPP propagandist, of engaging in character assassination to curry favor with his new political allies.
Sabally, once a vocal critic of Barrow and the NPP has recently emerged as a key figure in the ruling party’s media campaign. Using NPP-affiliated platforms, he has accused Mayor Bensouda of misusing diaspora campaign funds during the 2021 elections and claimed that fuel reserves from the same campaign, allegedly stored at KMC, have disappeared. The UDP has categorically dismissed these accusations as “complete fabrications” aimed at tarnishing the reputation of one of The Gambia’s most effective local leaders.
“Momodou Sabally’s sudden transformation from a Barrow critic to his chief propagandist raises serious questions about his credibility and moral compass,” the UDP Media Team stated. The party emphasized that all UDP campaign funds, including diaspora contributions, are managed by the party’s treasury under strict financial controls, with regular audits conducted by the finance committee. The UDP also clarified that the campaign committee, contrary to Sabally’s claims, has never been the custodian of party funds.
The UDP highlighted Mayor Bensouda’s longstanding commitment to the party, noting that he has been a major donor since 2018 and self-funded his successful mayoral election campaigns in 2018 and 2023. “Rather than resorting to cheap propaganda, Mayor Bensouda has consistently supported the UDP and the people of KMC,” the statement read.
The UDP also took aim at Sabally’s political opportunism, pointing to his dramatic shift from condemning Barrow’s administration to becoming its ardent defender. “This is the classic behavior of a political turncoat who has traded principles for patronage,” the UDP declared, referencing Sabally’s past criticisms of Barrow’s KERENG KAFFOO government, which he now praises. The party further noted Sabally’s checkered history, including his lifetime ban from public office following findings of financial misconduct by the Janneh Commission and his public humiliation under former President Yahya Jammeh.
While Sabally engages in what the UDP calls “mudslinging,” Mayor Bensouda has been lauded for his transformative leadership at KMC. Among his achievements are the Mbalit Waste Management Project, which has revolutionized sanitation in the municipality, securing a €3 million EU grant for environmental sustainability, and spearheading multiple infrastructure projects that have improved lives across KMC. The construction of a multimillion-dollar modern library further underscores his commitment to development.
The UDP Media Team has challenged Sabally to provide evidence for his allegations or issue a public apology. They also called on him to explain his sudden political U-turn and focus on substantive issues rather than “manufactured controversies.” “Gambians deserve better than political hirelings attacking proven performers,” the statement concluded.
As the war of words escalates, Mayor Bensouda remains focused on delivering results for KMC residents, undeterred by what the UDP describes as Sabally’s desperate bid for relevance. Political analysts suggest that this dispute could further polarize the political landscape ahead of future elections, with the UDP rallying behind its embattled mayor and the NPP leveraging Sabally’s attacks to weaken opposition strongholds.
The UDP’s defense of Bensouda underscores the high stakes of local governance in The Gambia, where leaders like Bensouda are seen as critical to the country’s development. For now, the UDP insists that Sabally’s allegations will not distract from their mission to deliver progress for the Gambian people.
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