A press release issued on 17th August, signed by Celestine Kujabi, Secretary General of CoPG, stated: “We are deeply disappointed and concerned over the recent amendments of the 2020 Draft Constitution tampering with its original purpose. Our concern is the amendment of some of the provisions without due processes, by a selected few and for the interest of the few for the intent of absolute power,”
“The provisions for the leadership and integrity as core values for public officials that will alleviate misconduct and ensure fiscal discipline were removed, appointment and removal of officials of the independent institutions, the reduced powers of local authorities in contrast to complete autonomy. The removal of the clause for the specification on the appointment of the Chief Justice and Judicial Judges are gross negligence of the principles of the Separation of Powers and therefore undermines credible and reliable good governance,” he lamented.
The CoPG, the release added, is also disappointed by the lack of respect for the due process of ensuring that any amendment of this sacred document is the sole responsibility of the people's representatives, the National Assembly.
“We expected the Attorney General and Legal adviser to the President to follow the procedure and due process and avoid popular disagreements and negative consequences that may emanate because of these amendments.”
“The Coalition of Progressive Gambians wish to urge the National Assembly members to veto this illegal process that is taking away their powers to decide on the appointments of the Independent institutions and undermining their functions, roles and responsibilities as the decision-making body.”
“We strongly believe that this amended draft 2024 does not reflect the aspirations of the Gambian people. We will therefore, advocate for the rejection of this bill by the people as Power belongs to the people.”
The CoPG therefore called for the promulgation of the Draft Constitution 2020 without any amendments and called on government through the Ministry of Justice and its Constitutional Review Committee to bring back the 2020 Draft Constitution in its original form and allow the due process to take effect as in democratic governance.
This, the release went on, is to see this document through its legal stages and ensure that it is only through legal frameworks that the document can be amended.
