The
Child Protection Alliance (CPA) is a child rights coalition which promotes
respect for the rights of children, enhances capacity of frontline child
protectors and professionals, engages in research and advocates for policy and
legal reforms in the best interests of children.
We
appreciate the collaboration and partnership it has established with relevant
government Ministries and Departments and their immense contribution to its
work in the country.
The
Child Protection Alliance, as an ardent advocate for the rights of children, is
seriously perturbed by the current political situation in the country which has
been precipitated by the stance of the outgoing President regarding the just
concluded presidential elections.
On
1st December 2016, Gambians went to the polls to elect a President who would
steer the ship of state for the next five years. On 2nd December, the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced the winner as Mr. Adama
Barrow. The congratulatory message of the outgoing President was aired on the
national television and was viewed by Gambians at home and the world at large.
This
gesture by the outgoing President was hailed by many as a great mark of
statesmanship and an exemplary show of courage. Gambians, both home and abroad,
rejoiced at the dawn of another era.
Surprisingly,
this joy was to be shortlived. On 9th December, the outgoing President, again
on the national television and to the utter chagrin of all Gambians and the
international community, announced his repudiation of the presidential
elections results and subsequent unilateral nullification.
Interestingly,
during the political campaign the President touted our electoral system as fool
proof, ‘unriggable’ and secure, and our electoral officers as men and women of
high repute.
Children,
the constituency whose rights we advocate for, form about half of the Gambian
population. They did not take part in the election to determine the winner,
being underage to vote.
However,
children, like adults, have a great stake in every matter that affects the body
politik of the country. In fact, this country in essence belongs to children.
Thus, any potential fallout from your refusal to recognise the elections and
the President-elect will adversely affect the future we want to build for our
children, their education, health, protection, development and survival.
Indisputably children suffer the most when conflict, economic hardship and
other troubles befall a country.
In
the name of the children who you have always claimed to love and will die for,
we urge you to recognize and honor the verdict of the presidential election and
handover the rein of the State to the President-elect as constitutionally
required.
You
owe it to our children to just do the right thing. Our children must be taught
to know that power resides with the people and leaders are neither above the
law nor more powerful than the people who elect them into office.
CPA’s
position is that you gracefully hand-over power to President-elect Adama Barrow
and avert any situation that would lead to a massive violation of the rights of
children.
This
is the verdict of the parents of the children and it should be upheld, honoured
and respected.