By Fatou Sillah
Essa Mbye Faal, the Leader and Secretary-General of the APP Sobeya party, has accused President Adama Barrow’s government of mismanaging public funds and called for a change in leadership in the upcoming 2026 presidential elections. Faal made these remarks during a rally in Farafenni, addressing his supporters.
In his speech, Faal criticized the government for allegedly squandering public funds at the expense of ordinary Gambians. He described the current administration as one that prioritizes personal enrichment over public welfare.
“We all know what is happening in this country, what is happening in our country is that they are partying and sharing public funds leaving the less privileged to suffer. The government is mismanaging public funds and they are moving forward while the public is going backwards.
“At this moment School Fee is very expensive, rent is expensive, the hospital conditions are bad, no stable electricity, are all this true or not? This happens because the public funds are shared in a way that you as the president pay yourself a hundred thousand and decide to pay your driver five thousand, is that right?” He asked.
Faal urged Gambians to vote for a change in government during the 2026 presidential elections, emphasizing that the current administration’s handling of public resources is unsustainable.
“Let’s show them the suffering that we are going through in 2026, when 2026 comes let’s change the government. Nobody should deceive you by telling you that, everything is going well, what is happening here is mismanaging of funds,” he said.
The Sobeya leader also accused the government of spending $300 million on importing food items he described as expired, rather than investing in local agricultural production.
“The government of The Gambia is spending three hundred million Dollars for the importation of food, the foods that are expired, why can’t we grow what we eat in this country? I went to Jahaly Pacharr but the environment was really bad. The place has what can feed the country they left it there and are importing expired rice.” he said.
Faal further criticized the culture of political corruption, pointing out how individuals with modest means suddenly amass wealth after entering politics.
“What is happening in the Gambia is only here, you will see a person that has nothing when entering politics, they gave him a position in five years they start growing a big stomach, and you in turn tell the people let me give you 200 Dalasi to vote for me again, if you vote for him again he will be enjoying while you suffer,” he said.