Africa-Press – Gambia. As he continued a nationwide tour inaugurating electricity access projects, President Adama Barrow on Thursday took aim at his political opponents, saying many who now aspire to lead the country only discovered their bravery after the end of authoritarian rule in 2016.
Speaking before residents in Boiram, Mr. Barrow said that figures who once fled abroad or lived in fear were now openly challenging his leadership.
“Those who used to hide under their beds are no longer hiding,” he told the crowd. “The same people who were afraid then are now beating their chests to say they are challenging President Barrow.”
With national elections scheduled for 2026, Mr. Barrow framed the vote as a referendum on stability and development, urging voters to renew his mandate if they want progress to continue.
“You have a big decision to make in 2026,” he said. “If you want development and peace to continue, it must be decided then.”
The president cast himself as a more seasoned leader, saying he entered office in 2016 as a political novice but now governs with experience. He likened his challengers to apprentice drivers, arguing that voters would not entrust a “brand-new car” to someone without a license.
Mr. Barrow also highlighted infrastructure projects as evidence of his administration’s performance, emphasizing the economic impact of expanded electricity access, which he said was already creating jobs and new opportunities in rural communities.
He announced that contracts had been signed for the construction of Boiram’s access road and that work would begin within weeks, adding that advance payments had already been made.
“That is my promise,” he said. “Whatever I promise, I deliver.”
The remarks underscored Mr. Barrow’s campaign message ahead of 2026: that continuity in leadership is essential to sustaining the development gains made since his rise to power.
