United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu ANM Darboe has warned that The Gambia risks deepening economic hardship if the current government remains in power beyond 2026.

Speaking to supporters in Badibou Kerewan during the UDP’s nationwide engagement tour, Mr Darboe accused the Barrow administration of mismanaging the economy and failing to contain rising living costs. He predicted that the price of a bag of rice could climb to D5,000 by 2027 if current policies continue.

He also expressed concern about the tourism sector, describing it as “dying” and blaming the government for failing to attract and sustain investment in one of the country’s key economic drivers.

Turning to construction costs, Mr Darboe noted that a bag of cement currently sells for about D650, warning that prices could reach D1,000 within the next two to three months without urgent intervention.

The UDP leader further criticised the government for increasing the salaries of senior officials while farmers struggle with stagnant incomes.

Addressing a separate political meeting in Niumi Jinack, he said groundnut prices have remained at D38,000 per ton for the past three years, despite steady increases in the pay of the president, vice president, cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries.

“The livelihoods of farmers have not changed,” Mr Darboe told supporters, arguing that government spending priorities have failed to ease rural hardship.

He urged voters to consider a UDP administration, which he said would manage public funds more prudently.

Mr Darboe pledged that a UDP government would cut spending on the annual Meet the People Tour, which he claimed received D53 million this year.

He said his party would reduce the allocation to D10 million and redirect the savings towards providing free fertiliser for farmers.

“The president has just returned from a tour that cost more than D60 million,” he said. “Under a UDP government, the tour will continue, but without the excessive spending seen under the Barrow administration.”

He added that D52 million has already been budgeted for the 2026 tour, contrasting this with allocations under former president Yahya Jammeh, which he said never exceeded D6 million.

Mr Darboe argued that removing President Adama Barrow and his allies from office was necessary to “free” the country, accusing the administration of repeatedly failing to deliver on its promises.

On local development, he assured residents of Jinack that a UDP government would improve access to water, including the desalination of water for farming, describing these pledges as realistic and achievable.