Ousainou Darboe, opposition leader and former Vice President of The Gambia

The leader of the opposition United Democracy Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, has denounced the corrupt practices of senior government officials, alleging that their actions are hampering the country’s progress and development.

The former Vice President of the Gambia was addressing a political rally in Brufut, Kombo North District on Saturday evening.

Mr Darboe said that the only way to end corruption in the country is to start with senior government officials and ensure that they refrain from corrupt practices and live within their means.

“If we are talking of how to put an end to all corruption and corrupt practice in the country, this I think should first begin with the senior government officials.

“This is because corruption can never be curbed when such senior government officials who handle our national resource are every day engaged in corrupt practices.

“So the idea of a free corrupt economy should first start with such senior government officials.

Mr Darboe said the development ambition of any nation is largely challenged by its record of corruption practice at all levels of national functions, adding that for any country to attain its development objectives, “it should wage a war against corruption to make sure that transparency and accountability are promoted at every sector of the economy”.

He pledged that a future UDP government will establish an anti-corruption commission to fight corruption in the country.

“This won’t just be lip service but in real terms, because we have to fight corruption at all levels We should live by examples.

“We should be modest in our living and be content with what we have,”
the opposition leader said.

He urged Gambians particularly the youth that in the next presidential election in 2021, they should vote for a president who “would listen to them and find solutions to their problems and not one who will brag about himself”.