Independent Aspirant Salieu Jallow Vows to Freeze Top Officials’ Salaries, Raise Civil Servants’ Pay

By Makutu Manneh

Independent presidential aspirant Salieu Jallow has pledged to freeze the salaries of senior government officials while increasing wages for lower-paid civil servants if elected president in the December 5 election, promising to address income inequality and improve the living conditions of ordinary Gambians.

Mr. Jallow made the pledge on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after submitting his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as part of the process to contest the upcoming presidential election.

Speaking to journalists following the submission, he said his decision to seek the presidency was motivated by growing concerns over economic hardship and the struggles faced by ordinary citizens.

Mr. Jallow said his administration would prioritize hardworking Gambians who struggle daily to meet their basic needs, arguing that they constitute the overwhelming majority of the population.

“So these are the people we are representing, and they are more than 80 percent of the population,” he said.

Describing himself as a young, educated, and patriotic Gambian, Mr. Jallow argued that the country was heading in the wrong direction and needed a new approach to leadership that places the welfare of ordinary citizens at the center of government policies.

He said his administration would seek to narrow the income gap between senior public officials and lower-paid government employees by freezing salary increases for the executive, ministers, and other highly paid officials.

“We are going to bridge the gap, and then we are going to increase the lower salaries of the civil servants,” he said.

According to Mr. Jallow, senior government officials already earning substantial salaries would not receive further increments under his administration, while efforts would be directed toward improving the earnings of lower-income public servants.

Beyond public-sector pay reforms, the independent aspirant outlined plans to tackle youth unemployment, strengthen the fight against corruption, and improve national security.

He identified job creation for young Gambians as a key priority, arguing that the country must provide greater economic opportunities for its growing youth population.

Mr. Jallow also pledged to intensify anti-corruption efforts and introduce reforms aimed at ensuring that government institutions operate in the interests of citizens.

He maintained that his political mission was to put The Gambia back on track by ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of struggling Gambians are reflected in national decision-making.

On his nomination, Mr. Jallow expressed confidence that he had fulfilled the IEC’s requirements, confirming that he had submitted all the necessary documents.

He said he was optimistic that the commission would approve his candidacy, allowing him to participate in the December 5 presidential election.

His nomination remains subject to verification and approval by the IEC.