By Makutu Manneh
Essa Mbye Faal, the leader of the APP-Sobeya party, has warned residents of Foni in The Gambia’s West Coast Region that a third term for President Adama Barrow could lead to worsening economic conditions, including fuel shortages and rising food prices.
Speaking at a political gathering in Foni, Mr. Faal said the country would face increased hardship if Mr. Barrow were re-elected in the December 5 presidential election.
“If you give Adama Barrow another term, you will witness more hardship in this country; there will be a shortage of fuel, and food, and everything will be more expensive,” Mr. Faal said. “Salaries are steady, and people will suffer in the country.”
His remarks come as political parties intensify campaigning ahead of the election, with voter registration drives underway across the country.
Mr. Faal urged residents who have not yet obtained voter identification cards to take part in the supplementary voter registration process, warning that failure to do so could affect their ability to vote. He argued that many citizens were already experiencing economic strain after what he described as a decade of hardship under Mr. Barrow’s administration.
“Everyone is crying about the hardship,” he said.
Seeking support for his party in the upcoming poll, Mr. Faal said an APP-Sobeya government would prioritize development and place greater emphasis on the needs of women and young people.
He also criticized the government over what he described as uneven access to public services, citing water infrastructure as an example. He alleged that some communities had been left out of development projects due to their political affiliations.
“The government has a project to bring water to communities, but it did not reach your community, and we heard that they said it is because it is a UDP stronghold here,” Mr. Faal said. “This kind of politics should come to an end.”
He further called for an end to nepotism, tribalism, and party favoritism in national governance, arguing that national progress depended on leadership competence and commitment.
“A country cannot change if it is not given to someone who has the knowledge, understanding, and the will to move the country forward,” he said. “But if the person does not have these qualities as a president, the country will not move forward.”
There was no immediate public response from the government to Mr. Faal’s remarks. The Barrow administration has, in the past, defended its record, pointing to infrastructure development and institutional reforms since taking office in 2017.
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