Yankuba Darboe, chairman of the Brikama Area Council, has sharply criticised President Adama Barrow, accusing him of taking on more loans in his eight years in power than former presidents Dawda Jawara and Yahya Jammeh did during their combined 52 years in office.

Speaking at a United Democratic Party (UDP) rally in Baddibu, the lawyer-turned-politician lambasted Barrow and his administration, describing him as an ineffective leader unworthy of re-election by the Gambian people.

As concerns grow over the ailing Gambian economy, Chairman Darboe revealed that Barrow has led the country into a staggering debt of nearly $110 billion.

He noted that when Barrow took office in 2017, the country was burdened with a debt of 60 billion dalasis left by the Jammeh regime.

“I want to ask Adama Barrow where he has taken the dalasi that was left by Jawara and Jammeh, and what has happened to the debt he inherited,” Darboe said. “For every road he claims to have built, he didn’t fund it himself. He takes loans on behalf of the country, pushing the national debt to nearly $110 billion.”

He added:”Barrow is trying to trick voters ahead of the upcoming election by promising more loans and infrastructure projects. When he came to power, The Gambia’s debt was 60 billion dalasis—combined debt from Jawara’s 30 years and Jammeh’s 22 years. But in just 8 years, Barrow has doubled that debt.”

“How can he claim to be wealthy?” Darboe questioned. “Even those who used to lend him money are now fed up because they know all the funds end up in the State House hole.”

By Adama Makasuba