By Kemo Kanyi
United Democratic Party (UDP) spokesperson Karamo Njie has attributed the rising mass exodus of Gambian youth from the country to Europe, including those employed, to poor living conditions in the country. He said many young people are risking dangerous, irregular migration routes to Europe in search of better opportunities.
In an interview with The Voice on Thursday, Njie noted that even President Adama Barrow has acknowledged that some working Gambians are embarking on perilous journeys abroad. He criticized the government for failing to address the gap between citizens’ earnings and the cost of living, particularly for those on government payrolls.
“The President told citizens that people left their jobs here and embarked on the ‘backway’ journey. That statement clearly shows that he is aware of the hardships Gambians are facing. The living conditions in this country are increasingly difficult, forcing young people to leave in search of a better life abroad,” Njie said.
He warned that officials close to the President are giving him a misleading impression about the situation on the ground, claiming that this narrative could affect his re-election prospects.
He described the National People’s Party (NPP) administration as having led the country into disarray and expressed confidence that Gambians would vote for change in the 2026 presidential election.
Responding to claims that the opposition is disintegrated, Njie highlighted instances of party defections and internal divisions within the NPP, asserting that the ruling party is more fragmented than any other in the country.
He urged Gambians to support UDP presidential candidate Ousainu Darboe, praising him as capable of strengthening national institutions and delivering development that benefits young people.