By: Fatou Krubally
The leader of Gambia Action Party (GAP), Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, has described the latest disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a reminder of the country’s economic challenges, calling for a review of national economic policies.
In a statement following the announcement that The Gambia had received about US$22.5 million from the IMF, Batchilly who is also GAP Secretary General, questioned the country’s continued reliance on external financial assistance despite government claims of economic progress.
The GAP leader argued that repeated IMF interventions should prompt discussions on whether underlying economic weaknesses have been sufficiently addressed.
“If the economy is genuinely performing well, as the government repeatedly claims, why is another financial intervention necessary?” he asked.
Batchilly said a resilient economy should be supported by sound fiscal management, productive investment and strong domestic revenue generation rather than continued dependence on external financing.
While acknowledging the contribution of international partners to national development, he said IMF support comes with policy commitments and conditions that may affect public spending and revenue measures.
“The question is not whether international partners should support The Gambia. The real question is why, after years of promises of economic transformation and strong growth, the country continues to rely on external financial lifelines to maintain stability,” he stated.
The opposition leader said genuine economic progress should be reflected in job creation, agricultural development, increased exports, investment growth and the ability of the country to finance its development priorities through domestic resources.
He called for greater support to local businesses, improved infrastructure, stronger institutions and prudent management of public resources to build economic resilience.
Batchilly urged policymakers to use the latest IMF support as an opportunity to reassess the country’s economic direction and focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term interventions.
He further called for greater emphasis on economic self-reliance, accountability and responsible governance, saying Gambians deserve sustainable prosperity built on a stronger economic foundation.