“Today, someone can be your opposition and tomorrow your ally. In politics, there are no permanent enemies, no eternal allies.”
Dr. Ceesay was responding to criticism over his previous remarks about President Barrow, arguing that such comments should not overshadow present political realities. He pointed to Trump’s allies, including Marco Rubio and JD Vance, who had once openly criticised the American leader before later serving in his administration.
“For me, this is politics. He doesn’t understand politics,” Ceesay said, referring to Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
“Today, we might be on different sides and tomorrow we are on the same side that’s politics.”
The minister also dismissed claims that President Barrow is worried about Bensouda’s growing popularity or the emergence of the United Movement for Change, saying the president remains the most popular president in the country.
“Nobody is afraid of anybody in this country, adding that the movement’s ambition to become the country’s biggest political force within months was unrealistic.”
Dr. Ceesay further defended government policies on the economy and cost of living, arguing that critics had failed to provide practical alternatives to the administration’s interventions.
He said subsidies on fuel, agriculture and electricity were helping cushion Gambians from global economic shocks, insisting government had not announced an end to fuel subsidies.
“Without these interventions, the cost of living would have really far surpassed what it is now,” he stated.
On inflation, the minister said figures had steadily declined from 18.5 percent in September 2023 to 6.4 percent by January 2026, which he described as evidence that government measures were working.
The minister also rejected criticism that ongoing road projects are cosmetic, saying such remarks undermine communities benefiting from the infrastructure.
“Calling our road projects cosmetic is an insult to the people of Kiang, Kabada and other communities whose lives have changed because of these roads,” he said.
On electric vehicles, Dr. Ceesay argued that while government supports a long-term green transition, The Gambia is not ready for a full shift to EVs due to infrastructure and energy limitations.
He also defended the country’s democratic space, saying political parties and movements now enjoy freedoms that were impossible under former President Yahya Jammeh.
