Darboe Pledges to Curb Rising Public Debt, Faults Barrow Administration on Transparency

By Seedy Jobe

The Secretary General and party leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), ANM Ousainu Darboe, has pledged to tackle The Gambia’s growing public debt if elected to office, stressing the need for prudent and responsible financial management.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Askanwi Media, Darboe said his administration would prioritize effective debt management to ensure that mounting liabilities do not undermine national development.

“There must be responsible steps taken to ensure that the debts that are hanging on us are properly managed, are responsibly managed, so that the negative impact of our debt burden does not reflect on our developmental programs,” he said.

Darboe, who previously served as Vice President under President Adama Barrow, criticised the current administration for what he described as shortcomings in transparency, accountability, and good governance.

“It has certainly fallen short in transparency and accountability.” 

He cited recurring reports from the Auditor General as evidence of systemic weaknesses in oversight, arguing that stronger controls prior to contract approvals and public spending could have prevented adverse audit findings.

“If the necessary measures were put in place and applied before all these contracts and expenditures, we would not have had these troubling reports from the audit department,” Darboe said.

He further accused President Barrow of downplaying audit findings by dismissing them as mere opinions, a stance Darboe said reflects a lack of commitment to accountability and transparency.

Outlining his party’s approach to fiscal reform, Darboe said a UDP-led government would undertake a comprehensive review of the national budget, identify areas for cost savings, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and engage development partners on possible debt relief.

“A UDP government that comes in 2027 will have to review that budget, scrutinize it properly even before getting to office, and look at those areas where savings can be made, look at those areas where the expenditure is absolutely unnecessary,” he said.