In a recent press release signed by Secretary General, Celestine Kujabi, the group informed government that it is prepared to engage all legal means to ensure the 2020 Draft Constitution is read and passed for a referendum or otherwise mobilise and embark on a Nationwide protest.
“Following the announcement by the President Adama Barrow at the beginning of this year to bring back the 2020 Draft constitution, we, the Coalition of Progressive Gambians, have recently engaged the Ministry of Justice on the same concern and emphasised the urgent demand for government to bring back the 2020 Draft Constitution in its original form. This implies that the entrenched clauses provided in the constitution must not be amended or changed in anyway.”
“It must be noted that these entrenched clauses provide for the realisation of the independent function of the institutions that qualify good governance and those entrusted with the responsibilities of executing the functions of those institutions as defined by law. The institutions such as the Independent Electoral Commission, the Auditor General's office, The National Human Rights Commission, The Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Presidential term limit to name a few, the personnel appointed to execute the functions of those institutions based on competence, recommendations and approval of a credible Public Service Commission and National Assembly, are of great concern to all progressive Gambians. This enhances very good and credible practices towards the attainment of credible and very good governance.”
“We also want to inform the Office of the Inspector General of Police, an office financed by taxpayers, to consider its role and responsibility of protecting life and property and the maintenance of law and order in line with the provisions of the constitution.”
The release further states that the Office of the IGP must not allow itself to be fiddled with an outdated Public Order Act, a scarecrow, and be used against its own people. “They need to be reminded that intimidation, suppression and violation of the rights of people will never go unaccounted and unpunished.”
“The recent past should be a learning point for our security personnel and never again must our negative political history be repeated. We therefore announce that come November if the 2020 Draft Constitution is not brought back and a referendum scheduled, we, the CoPG will mobilise Gambians on a nationwide protest with or without permit and will not engage in any dialogue to postpone or cancel the protest.”
