Gambians support new constitution amid doubtful political will

Findings from the April-May 2024 survey revealed that two-thirds of Gambians advocated reintroducing the rejected 2020 draft constitution, with widespread support for key reforms such as presidential term limits. However, many citizens remain skeptical about whether political parties are genuinely dedicated to the process.

The survey findings were presented on Friday by Sait Matty Jaw, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Research and Policy Development (CRPD) and a Political Science lecturer at The University of The Gambia.

Speaking at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center in Bijilo, Jaw highlighted key data that underscores Gambians' desire for constitutional reform.

According to the Afrobarometer survey, seven out of 10 Gambians (71%) believe the country needs a new constitution, while 24% see no need for it. Despite this overwhelming support, only 29% of respondents think the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is committed to enacting a new constitution, while 34% feel the same about the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).

Sait Matty said that two-thirds of respondents (67%) agree or strongly agree that the rejected 2020 Constitution should be brought back to the National Assembly for amendment.

Conversely, only 29% believe the Assembly was justified in rejecting the 2020 draft.

Furthermore, 86% of Gambians continue to favour a two-term limit on the presidency—a provision notably absent from the current 1997 Constitution. Support for this term limit has remained consistently high since 2018.

On August 14, the government took a significant step by announcing the gazetting of Gambia’s 2024 Constitution, signaling a renewed commitment to securing a fresh constitutional framework for the nation.

The event also featured discussions with policymakers, civil society organisations, academics, and members of the public on the implications of the survey results. Afrobarometer, a trusted pan-African, non-partisan survey initiative, seeks to amplify the voices of ordinary citizens on critical issues of democracy, governance, and socio-economic conditions. In The Gambia, the survey was conducted by CRPD with face-to-face interviews in the respondents’ preferred languages, ensuring the findings accurately reflect national sentiments.

As the conversation around constitutional reform gains momentum, the survey results will likely influence ongoing debates on shaping Gambia’s democratic future.