Mayor Bensouda delivers resignation speech
By Fatoumata Konteh
An emotional atmosphere engulfed the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) on Friday, 6th November 2026, as councillors and staff were moved to tears following the resignation of Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, bringing his eight-year tenure at the helm of the municipality to an end.
Mayor Bensouda formally announced his voluntary resignation during a farewell address, explaining that his decision was driven by his intention to pursue the next chapter of his public service through the 2026 Presidential Elections.
In his address, the outgoing mayor described his departure as the end of an important chapter in his life, expressing gratitude to councillors, management, staff, development partners and residents for their support throughout his time in office.
“I leave with gratitude, respect for the institution and a commitment to ensuring an orderly handover,” he said, emphasising that his resignation was entirely voluntary.
Reflecting on his tenure, which began in May 2018, Bensouda highlighted what he described as significant efforts to transform local governance through institutional reforms, improved revenue mobilisation, infrastructure development and partnerships with international institutions and the private sector.
He, however, acknowledged that several challenges, including political disagreements, financial pressures and institutional restrictions, had affected the Council’s ability to implement some of its development plans.
The outgoing mayor used his farewell address to draw attention to nine major projects either nearing completion or still under implementation, urging the Council’s management and incoming leadership to ensure their successful completion.
Among them are the D40 million Mbari Pa Dembo Market development in Serekunda, the redevelopment of Bakau Community Centre, a 1,000-seater assembly hall at Charles Jow Memorial Academy, a €500,000 compost plant at Bakau Women’s Garden and a tyre recycling plant.
He also highlighted the D34 million advance payment made towards the Kanifing Municipal Road Network Project, which is expected to cover 15.6 kilometres of roads and six kilometres of drainage infrastructure. He expressed disappointment over delays allegedly caused by restrictions from the National Roads Authority and the Ministry of Works.
Other ongoing initiatives include the D35 million Migrant Resilience Hub, designed to support 40 Gambian returnees from Europe, a €500,000 second phase of the Council’s revenue maximisation programme and the procurement of waste management equipment valued at approximately D18 million.
Bensouda further announced that the Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded Kanifing Mayor’s Challenge Project, which secured a US$1 million grant after Kanifing was selected among 24 winning cities worldwide from more than 630 applicants, is expected to begin pilot implementation before the end of November.
The initiative seeks to improve household waste collection through a youth-led system using motorised tricycles, particularly in densely populated communities that are difficult to reach using conventional waste collection trucks.
Beyond highlighting his achievements and unfinished projects, Bensouda used the occasion to make a broader appeal for stronger local government institutions, arguing that municipal councils must be given adequate resources, autonomy and institutional support to deliver meaningful development.
He also criticised what he described as political obstruction and restrictions during his tenure, maintaining that no municipality should be disadvantaged because of the political affiliation of its elected leadership.
As he prepares to contest the 2026 Presidential Elections, the outgoing mayor said his commitment to the people of Kanifing remains unchanged despite his departure from the mayoral office.
“I may be leaving the Mayor’s office, but I am not leaving behind the people, the friendships, the relationships or the responsibility I feel towards this community,” he declared.
He concluded by thanking councillors and staff for their cooperation, including through moments of disagreement, and urged them to remain committed to serving the people, regardless of who occupies the office of mayor.
The emotional scenes among councillors and Council staff marked a poignant moment as Bensouda bid farewell to an institution he had led for more than eight years, leaving behind ongoing projects and an uncertain new chapter for the municipality following his resignation.
