The New Faces of UDP Leadership: A Feminist Turn?
By Neneh Bojang
In a historic shift within Gambian politics, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has ushered in a new era of female representation following its internal elections held on Sunday, October 19th. The departure of the youthful “Team Talib” faction has unexpectedly paved the way for young women to rise from the sidelines to the center stage of political leadership.
For the first time, three young female aspirants—Neneh Isatou Jallow, Binett Marong, and Jarai Fayenkeh—have secured prominent roles within the UDP’s National Executive. Their appointments as Deputy Campaign Manager, Deputy National Organising Secretary, and 1st Vice President of the Female Youth Wing, respectively, mark a significant departure from the traditional image of women as passive supporters clad in Ashobi, cheering male leaders from the periphery.
This development raises compelling questions: Is the UDP becoming the party feminists should rally behind? And does veteran party leader, lawyer Ousainou Darboe, now stand as a feminist ally?
While Darboe has not explicitly embraced the feminist label, the party’s evolving leadership structure suggests a growing openness to gender equity. The inclusion of young women in strategic roles signals a potential ideological shift—one that could redefine the UDP’s appeal to progressive voters and gender rights advocates.
Other newly elected officials include Pa Manneh as Campaign Manager, Sulayman Saho as National Organising Secretary, Saikou Camara as Administrative Secretary for Media and Communications, and Jarga Mbowe as 2nd Vice President of the National Youth Wing.
As the UDP charts its course toward the next electoral cycle, all eyes will be on how these new faces shape the party’s vision—and whether their rise marks the beginning of a broader feminist transformation in Gambian politics.
