West Africa: What Did They Sign? Gambia's Political Alliances Face AU, Ecowas Transparency Test

What the report says

{"summary":"Foroyaa, in an August 31, 2026 article published by AllAfrica, says political alliances in The Gambia are drawing scrutiny over transparency as parties position themselves for the December 2026 presidential election. The central question raised is what the parties actually agreed to in coalition deals that are being announced publicly but, in many cases, not fully shared with citizens.\n\nThe report compares current alliances with the 2016 opposition coalition that helped unite parties against former president Yahya Jammeh. That arrangement, according to the article, was publicly discussed and its documents were available, allowing voters to understand the basis for selecting Adama Barrow as the coalition candidate. The coalition’s victory ended more than two decades of Jammeh’s rule and became a landmark in the country’s democratic transition.\n\nBy contrast, the article says later political partnerships, including those involving Barrow’s National People’s Party and recent arrangements involving UNITE and the National Unity Party, have often lacked public access to the full text of agreements. It argues this matters because such deals can affect candidate selection, appointments, and election strategy. The piece also notes that some parties, including PDOIS in earlier agreements, have taken a more open approach by sharing signed documents with journalists. The article frames the issue as consistent with African Union and ECOWAS principles that emphasize transparency and public participation in elections."}