Lawyer slams govt over delay in presenting 2025 Budget, cites constitutional breach
Salieu Taal, has sharply criticised the federal government for what he described as a “flagrant violation” of the nation’s structure following the delayed presentation of the 2025 nationwide finances.
The former president of the Gambia Bar Association’s feedback got here after Seedy Keita, the minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, was questioned in parliament concerning the authorities’s failure to fulfill the constitutional deadline for presenting the finances. Minister Keita later issued an apology for the delay, acknowledging the breach.
However, Taal, a distinguished determine within the authorized group, didn’t maintain again in expressing his concern.
Speaking to West Coast Radio, he described the federal government’s actions as a direct violation of the regulation, emphasising that the structure was clear on the matter.
“The process is fundamentally flawed,” Taal mentioned. “This is a direct and flagrant violation of the constitution. The law is unequivocal: Section 152 of the Constitution, as amended by the 2023 Constitutional Amendment Act, clearly stipulates that the national budget must be presented to the National Assembly at least 60 days before the end of the fiscal year. There is no ambiguity here.”
Taal’s criticism is rooted in the truth that the finances was introduced far past the stipulated deadline, main him to query the federal government’s dedication to constitutional governance.
“This is a sad day for the country’s democracy,” he added. “The Constitution is the foundation of our democratic system, and when it is disregarded so blatantly, it undermines the integrity of our institutions.”
In response to the delay, Minister Keita expressed remorse for the oversight, however the incident has sparked concern amongst lawmakers and residents alike.
Critics have raised alarm over what they understand as a rising disregard for constitutional obligations, warning that such actions may erode public confidence within the authorities’s means to control successfully and lawfully.
Taal’s feedback have reignited requires higher transparency and adherence to authorized procedures inside the Gambian authorities, with many emphasising the necessity for accountability in any respect ranges of public workplace.
Reporting by Adama Makasuba
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