Political party leaders resume constitutional reform process dialogue

The meeting was chaired by former United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas who also served as Eminent Person.

The top Ghanaian diplomat praised the political leaders for showing interest in the important discussion.

According to him, there are few contentious issues that require consensus among party leaders for a way forward.

For opposition leader and Secretary General of the United Democratic Party UDP Ousainu Darboe, his party is committed to relaunching the constitutional reform process with a view to reintroducing the Draft Constitution to parliament.

“Our party has also been in the forefront of advocating for constitutional reform and that we are committed to.

Halifa Sallah, leader of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism PDOIS welcomes the idea but raises concerns about the methodology.

“There are so many divergent views expressed and they are not that focusing on that dimension that yes there were divergences of views in the National Assembly but what about the population who will have to vote at a referendum,” he observed.

“So you should be dealing not only with the National Assembly Members or political parties but also the Gambian population.”

Executive member of the People’s Progressive Party (NPP), Seedy Njie, also reiterated his party’s commitment to the course.

Also in attendance are representatives from Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) and a host of others.

For some Gambians, revisiting the draft constitution, particularly by the different political parties despite their differences, indicates the collective strength of the people and a bright future for the Gambia.

But it remains to be seen if the perceived progressive Draft Constitution will once again be reintroduced to the parliament for consideration.