Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Hon. Halifa Sallah, National Assembly member and leader of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has called for a robust national debate on the 2024 Constitution Bill currently under deliberation in the National Assembly. Speaking at a press conference, Hon. Sallah underscored the importance of collective engagement in shaping The Gambia’s supreme law to reflect the aspirations of its citizens.

In his address, Sallah traced the historical trajectory of constitutional development in The Gambia, highlighting the challenges associated with the 1997 Constitution. Often criticized as a “soldiers’ constitution,” it nonetheless provided the framework for the peaceful transfer of power after the 2016 presidential election. However, Sallah pointed to its significant flaws, including the absence of term limits and provisions for a majority vote in presidential elections, which enabled prolonged rule under the regimes of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara and Yahya Jammeh.

“The National Assembly now has a bill before it aiming to provide a constitution for The Gambia. What we hear all over, some are saying it will disappear as it arrives in that National Assembly, but it has not disappeared—it has been introduced. This shows that a nation must have an understanding of what belongs to all of us. Gambia belongs to all of us; it is our property. How it is to be governed depends on us—all of us—and no single person should surrender that duty, that responsibility to determine the future of this country,” he stated.

The 2024 Constitution Bill, first introduced in 2020 but later shelved after failing to secure sufficient legislative support, has been reintroduced with the aim of addressing these constitutional concerns. Sallah emphasized that while the executive branch can draft and propose a constitution, the power to shape and approve it lies firmly with the National Assembly and, ultimately, the Gambian people through a referendum.

“The executive has done its part by drafting and introducing the bill. But the lawmakers now hold the power to mold it into what serves the people’s best interests. The real makers of the constitution will be the citizens in a referendum,” he said.

Sallah criticized the lack of public awareness surrounding the legislative process and called for greater civic engagement. He urged citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable, stressing the need for the National Assembly to conduct public consultations to ensure the proposed constitution reflects the will of the people.

“This is an opportunity for Gambians to engage in meaningful dialogue about the nation’s future. If the National Assembly fails to pass the bill, the people will know who to hold accountable. With elections in 2026, voters must demand a constitution fit for purpose,” he asserted.

Addressing misconceptions, Sallah clarified that the second reading of the bill focuses on its principles, not its content, and that achieving the required three-quarters majority is essential for its progression to a referendum.

“The debate on this bill is urgent and necessary for the survival of this nation. If the legislature cannot fulfill its duty, it calls into question its purpose. The people deserve a new republic based on their aspirations and input,” he stated.

As of December 2024, the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia (Promulgation) Bill has been reintroduced to the National Assembly for its first reading. This marks a renewed effort to establish a new constitution after the previous attempt in 2020 failed to garner the necessary support. The bill’s progression to the second reading will be critical, as it requires a three-quarters majority in the National Assembly to advance to a referendum.

“If the population truly are convinced that they want a constitution that is fit for purpose and they know the content of what they want, they will know how to deal with anybody that does not want to give them a constitution that is fit for purpose,” Sallah concluded.