Alhagie S. Darboe, National Assembly Member For Brikama North, And The Minority Leader
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe, National Assembly Member for Brikama North and Minority Leader, on Friday raised a motion questioning the legality of the 2025 draft budget, describing its presentation as unconstitutional.
Hon. Darboe made these remarks during the tabling of the draft budget by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs for parliamentary consideration and approval.
The Minority Leader argued that the budget was not submitted in accordance with the 1997 Constitution, which mandates the president to ensure that revenue and expenditure estimates are laid before the National Assembly at least 60 days before the end of the financial year.
Citing Section 152 of the Constitution, Hon. Darboe stated: “Section 152 of the 1997 constitution reads that the President shall cause the minister responsible for finance to prepare and lay before the national assembly at least 60 days, before the end of the financial year estimate for revenue and expenditure of the Gambia for the following fiscal year the estimate shall include any estimate which, under this constitution are to be submitted directly to the president by the chief Justice or any other authority for presentation by the president to the national assembly.”
He emphasized that the November 15 submission date fell short of the 60-day constitutional requirement, making the budget presentation non-compliant with mandatory provisions.
“The other provision that is regarding the standing order 86 (1)said the president’s cause is for the minister responsible for finance to prepare and lay before the national assembly at least 30 days before the end of the financial year. Honourable speaker, going by sector 4 of the constitution of the Gambia 1997 the supremacy of the constitution. This constitution is the supreme law of the Gambia and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this constitution such to the extent of this inconsistency the void. Clause 86 of the standing order does not stand the constitution that calls for 60 days minimum requirements for the budget to be laid before the end of the financial year. I submit that the laying of the budget today is unconstitutional and therefore, should not be accepted,”the Minority Leader stressed.
The debate on the legality of the budget submission sparked intense discussions among lawmakers. Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary T. Jatta eventually called on Finance Minister Hon. Seedy Keita to explain the delay.
In his response, Minister Keita attributed the late submission to delayed donor consultations and the recent 30% salary increment adjustments. However, several members, including the Minority Leader, expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation.
Following a brief recess, the Speaker ruled that the Finance Minister must apologize to the National Assembly for the delay and cautioned against similar occurrences with the 2026 draft budget.
Minister Keita subsequently apologized to lawmakers for the late submission and pledged to ensure timely compliance in the future.