Gambian
lawmakers on Monday convened an extraordinary session, and commended and
expressed appreciation of the “good efforts” of the Authority of Heads of
States and Government of ECOWAS for the peaceful settlement of the
post-election impasse in The Gambia.
The
motion was moved by the Majority Leader and National Assembly Member for
Serrekunda East, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, yesterday at the National
Assembly.
He
reiterated that The Gambia is a sovereign and an independent state, and cited
the constitutional provision that “the sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the
people of The Gambia, from whom all organs of government derive their authority
and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of the
Government are to be exercised,” in accordance with the 1997 Constitution of
The Gambia.
The
majority leader added that every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity
shall have the right, without reasonable restrictions to vote and stand for
elections at genuine periodic elections for public office, which elections
shall be by universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot.
He
further called on the ECOWAS Authority to continue respecting and protecting
the sovereignty and independence of The Gambia, and in maintaining its
commitment to the peaceful resolution of the current post-election impasse
within the confines of the Constitution and other laws of The Gambia.
“We
appreciate and salute the ECOWAS’ on-going commitments to the peaceful
resolution of our post-election impasse within the confines of the Constitution
and other laws of The Gambia,” he declared.
Seconding
the motion was the National Assembly Member for Banjul Central, Hon. Abdoulie
Saine, who also commended the ECOWAS for their efforts in trying to settle the
political logjam in the country in a peaceful way.
He
warned the people of Senegal to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs
of The Gambia, adding that they need Senegal in maintaining the peace between
the two countries which has prevailed for years.
The
National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum, Hon. Sainey Mbye, also commended
ECOWAS for their “wonderful mediation” for the people of The Gambia in the
political impasse.
He
urged ECOWAS to solve the impasse in a very peaceful manner, rather than by
using force.
Other
National Assembly members equally commended ECOWAS for their mediation in
trying to settle the political impasse peacefully.
