Talib Ahmed Bensouda Vows to Revisit Sanyang Port Deal if Elected

Talib Ahmed Bensouda says a Coalition 2026 government would review the proposed Sanyang seaport agreement, arguing that residents’ homes and fishing livelihoods must be considered before the project proceeds. The UNITE Party leader made the pledge while addressing supporters at a rally in Sanyang, according to the report. Bensouda questioned whether a new port was needed when, he said, Banjul Port was not being used to its full capacity. He also challenged the government to explain the case for the development and its likely consequences for people living and working along the coast. The candidate said uncertainty over the plan had left some homeowners worried about losing their properties. He warned that fishermen could also face limits on access to the waters and customary fishing areas on which their livelihoods depend. In his view, large infrastructure projects should account for the people likely to bear their costs and demonstrate that the expected benefits justify the disruption. “If you voted for us on December 5th, we will review that contract,” Bensouda told the rally. The report notes that he did not say which parts of the agreement would be examined, or whether a future administration would seek changes, renegotiation or cancellation. He also turned his criticism to electricity supply and prices. Bensouda claimed that power interruptions had persisted despite generators being brought into the country, and accused the government of overstating improvements. He warned that electricity tariffs would rise if President Adama Barrow won another term, while consumers would still face shortages and disruptions. Those claims were presented as Bensouda’s election warnings; the report did not provide details of a tariff decision or an official response. His remarks put the proposed port and household electricity costs at the centre of his appeal to voters in Sanyang.