Salieu Taal, former President of The Gambia Bar Association, condemned the 2024 budget process during an appearance on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on Friday, following Finance Minister Seedy Keita’s apology for breaking the constitutional deadline with the 2025 budget estimates.
Taal called the process a “flagrant violation” of the Constitution, criticizing the late submission of the budget estimates, which exceeded the constitutional requirement to be presented 60 days before the fiscal year’s end. He also condemned the Speaker’s justification of the breach using internal regulations, calling it a “sad day for Gambia’s democracy.”
Taal warned, “Disregarding the Constitution, even once, sets a dangerous precedent,” and noted that citizens have the right to seek redress in court for such breaches.
