Banjul North MP condemns third consecutive session adjournment without debate

The National Assembly of The Gambia adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on Wednesday, without holding its customary adjournment debate, for the third time since the 2025 legislative year commenced, triggering sharp criticism from opposition members and exposing deep legislative divisions.

The controversial decision, proposed by Hon. Alhagie Mbowe, Member for Upper Saloum under Standing Order clauses 54 (b) and (c), led to a heated vote, with 22 members supporting the motion to adjourn without debate and 7 opposing it, with one abstention.

The adjournment debate, mandated by Standing Order 13, typically allows members to address pressing national issues, enabling the Vice President and Ministers to respond. The absence of this debate marks only the third time in the sixth Legislature that the session has concluded without this critical discussion, denying members the chance to raise concerns on behalf of their constituents.

The Banjul North lawmaker explained that adjournment debates are specifically meant to allow members to speak on constituency and national concerns, yet they are increasingly being avoided, particularly during the budget session. He questioned why Parliament could not accommodate brief contributions, noting that standing orders allow a maximum of just 15 minutes per member. 

Among the issues he said he wanted to raise were high electricity tariffs, unexplained fees charged to Gambians in the Diaspora, environmental damage from sand mining in Banjul, and growing threats to wildlife.

Hon. Bah rejected claims that such matters are sufficiently addressed during ministers’ question-and-answer sessions, arguing that open debate often leads to real action. He pointed to improvements in Banjul’s street lighting, ongoing road rehabilitation works, and youth empowerment initiatives as examples of progress driven by parliamentary pressure. He thus warns that Parliament risks losing its relevance, saying continued adjournments without debate undermine oversight and silence the very voices elected to speak for the people.