The leader of United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainu Darboe, has accused President Adama Barrow of failing to deliver on the core promises that defined The Gambia’s post-Jammeh democratic transition.

In a sharply worded assessment of Barrow’s nine years in office, Darboe argued that the government has fallen short on constitutional reform, transitional justice, and anti-corruption efforts – three pillars he said were central to rebuilding state institutions after the fall of former President Yahya Jammeh.

Darboe said the failure to produce a new constitution remains the most damaging setback of the current administration, describing it as a missed opportunity that has weakened the country’s democratic foundation.

“The failure to give us a new constitution is his biggest failure,” Darboe said, adding that significant public funds had been spent on the constitutional review process without a final outcome.

He further criticised the implementation of the findings of the Janneh Commission, alleging that government action had been selective.

“They have only acted on some aspects and left out other individuals who were also mentioned in the report,” he claimed.

Darboe also expressed concern over what he described as delays in implementing the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, arguing that victims of past abuses were still awaiting justice years after the commission submitted its report.

“We are still where we were. Five years after the TRRC report, there is very little meaningful implementation,” he said.

On anti-corruption efforts, Darboe acknowledged that legislation had been passed but said enforcement remained weak due to delays in operationalising the commission.

“An anti-corruption act has been passed and signed, but the commission is not working. That tells you everything,” he said.

He went further to allege that the delay was not accidental, suggesting that vested interests were benefiting from the lack of enforcement.

“Many people connected to the president are involved in corruption, and that is why things are not moving,” Darboe alleged.

His remarks are expected to intensify political tensions ahead of the December election, as opposition parties increasingly frame the contest around governance failures, accountability, and unfinished transitional reforms.

The Presidency has not yet publicly responded to the claims.