President Barrow’s State of the Nation Address on March 26th painted a picture of a country on the right track.
However, during our recently concluded national consultations, we listened to Gambians across the country. What we heard in homes, communities, and workplaces reflects a very different reality. As we enter an election year, we owe Gambians a candid and fact-based assessment.
President Barrow spoke of a stable dalasi and 5.9 per cent GDP growth. Yet any Gambian who buys goods or receives money from abroad knows that the dalasi has been anything but stable. The cost of living continues to rise, and the economy remains heavily dependent on loans that will burden future generations. Too many Gambians are struggling to afford necessities. That is the undeniable reality. The President also assured Gambians that irregular migration is being addressed with urgency. However, the 150,000 jobs promised in 2023 were notably absent from this year’s address. Our youth continue to risk their lives through the “backway,” with far too many perishing at sea. This is a national crisis that demands immediate and united action.
In his address, President Barrow commended the diaspora for contributing nearly one billion dollars in remittances. Yet it must be emphasised that this same government continues to deny Gambians abroad the fundamental right to vote. While the President highlighted increased food production, we stress that development goes beyond the distribution of seeds and fertilisers. Achieving true self-sufficiency requires sustainable agricultural mechanisation and comprehensive sector reform to end the culture of dependency. A nation that cannot feed itself can never achieve full sovereignty.
Furthermore, although President Barrow declared The Gambia the safest country in West Africa, concerns remain regarding personal security, community crime, and access to justice. Many Gambians do not feel safe in their communities or even in their homes. Our security services require advanced training and adequate equipment to fulfil their mandate effectively. The State of the Nation Address also failed to address the critical issue of border security. Silence on such an important matter affecting citizens sends a troubling message of neglect.
On governance, the President spoke of reforms. However, findings from our national consultations indicate that public trust in institutions is declining. Key reforms promised since 2016, including constitutional reform, security sector reform, and transitional justice, remain incomplete. Gambians are yet to be convinced that the Barrow administration is serious about tackling corruption, as no credible anti-corruption strategy has been presented to date. Regarding healthcare, the reality is stark. When ministers seek treatment abroad for themselves and their families while ordinary Gambians are left with dilapidated facilities, it exposes a system in crisis. Addressing these challenges begins with acknowledging the depth of the problem.
As we stand in an election year, the UNITE Movement believes that claims of progress must go beyond performance. Gambians are waiting for tangible results. They have endured a fragile transition and prolonged economic hardship and deserve more than a selective portrayal of reality.
The UNITE Movement will continue to hold those in power accountable, not for the sake of opposition, but in pursuit of a Gambia that truly works for all its citizens.
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