Tobaski Sibi Jeng, Youth President of the UNITE party, has launched a strong criticism of President Adama Barrow’s administration, accusing the government of failing to address rising living costs, persistent electricity shortages and the economic challenges facing ordinary Gambians.
Sibi made the remarks during an interview with JollofNews on the sidelines of the Coalition 2026 political rally held at the Brikama SSP Ground, where opposition supporters gathered as political parties intensify preparations for the 2026 presidential election.
Addressing the growing number of political parties and movements in The Gambia, Sibi argued that the emergence of new political platforms reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s current leadership.
“You don’t just form a political party for fun,” Sibi said. “If this current government were actually doing its job, whenever someone rises up to form a new party, their relatives and friends would advise them against it.”
He pointed to the existence of more than 20 political parties in the country as an indication, in his view, of growing frustration with the government.
“But today, when you look at The Gambia, there are over twenty political parties. That alone shows that this current administration has done nothing,” he added.
Sibi devoted much of his criticism to the country’s longstanding electricity crisis, arguing that unreliable power supplies are undermining economic activity and placing additional pressure on small businesses and low-income households.
He said electricity is a fundamental component of economic development and that frequent outages have made it increasingly difficult for market vendors, women entrepreneurs and micro-businesses to operate effectively.
“A country’s progress relies on proper structure, and electricity is fundamental,” Sibi said. “Without reliable power, women selling fish in the market cannot conduct their business. This goes to show that electricity drives the economy.”
He also highlighted the rising cost of food, using rice prices as an example of what he described as the erosion of household purchasing power.
According to Sibi, varieties of rice that previously sold for around D900 per bag are now being sold at significantly higher prices, with some varieties reportedly reaching D1,700, D1,900 and, in some cases, as much as D3,500 per bag.
He argued that the increase in the price of basic commodities has placed considerable pressure on workers whose salaries have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.
Sibi cited the example of a police officer earning approximately D5,000 per month, arguing that rent for a single room can consume around D3,000 of that salary, leaving little for food, transportation and other essential expenses.
The UNITE youth leader said the situation demonstrates what he considers to be a widening gap between the economic realities experienced by ordinary Gambians and the priorities of those in government.
He accused the Barrow administration of failing to provide meaningful economic relief to citizens, particularly those struggling with the rising costs of food, housing, transportation and electricity.
Sibi further alleged that the government has become increasingly detached from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens, accusing the administration of prioritising political survival over addressing the country’s socioeconomic challenges.
His comments come as opposition parties and political movements continue to mobilise ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election, with competing groups seeking to present themselves as alternatives to the Barrow administration.
The government has previously defended its record in areas including infrastructure, energy, social programmes and economic development, while maintaining that major investments are being made to address longstanding national challenges.
As the political campaign gathers momentum, issues surrounding the cost of living, electricity supply, employment and household incomes are expected to remain central to the debate over the country’s future direction.
