By: Fatou Krubally
United Democratic Party (UDP) Leader, Ousainou ANM Darboe, has pledged to overhaul The Gambia’s civil service if elected into office in 2026.
Mr. Darboe who is also UDP Secretary General promises a recruitment and promotion system based strictly on merit and professional qualifications rather than political connections.
Speaking in a video message posted on Wednesday on the party’s official Facebook page, Mr. Darboe said civil service reform would be a key priority under what he described as a single-term agenda, aimed at restoring professionalism and independence in the public sector.
“Gambia had been a country where to be a civil servant was the greatest pride,” he said, arguing that the system once operated with greater institutional autonomy and respect for technical advice.
He said civil servants in earlier periods were able to advise ministers without political interference, adding that such advice was generally treated as professional input rather than partisan influence.
According to him, this helped strengthen governance and, at times, attracted international recognition.
Mr. Darboe said a UDP government would seek to restore that model, stressing that civil servants should be protected from political considerations in both appointments and promotions. “A competent, apolitical civil service is what this country deserves,” he said, adding that public servants should enjoy job satisfaction rather than political pressure.
He further argued that civil servants today are seeking more than remuneration, saying they want their professional input to be respected and applied where appropriate.
At the same time, Mr. Darboe accused the current administration of politically influencing the positioning of civil servants ahead of elections, particularly in key ministries.
He suggested that such practices were aimed at gaining political advantage, although he did not provide evidence.
He specifically pointed to ministries responsible for regional administration and internal security, alleging that staffing decisions in those areas could affect governance structures and, in some cases, security operations in rural communities. “We suspect that this scheme is going on right now,” he said.
Despite the allegations, Mr. Darboe assured civil servants that they would not face reprisals under a UDP government, even if they had served under or were perceived to be aligned with the current administration.
“No reprisals will follow,” he said, adding that future personnel decisions would be based strictly on competence, productivity and professional conduct.
He also stated that marginalization in the civil service would not be tolerated on political grounds stressing that any form of exclusion would only be based on competence.
Mr. Darboe urged citizens, particularly older Gambians, to reflect on earlier periods of public administration which he said were characterized by stronger institutional standards and less political interference.
He called for support for reforms aimed at restoring pride in public service and strengthening state institutions.
