Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a significant development following a public demonstration, the leadership of the National Assembly held a closed-door dialogue with members of the Concerned Citizens Group behind Monday’s peaceful march. The meeting took place shortly after hundreds of youths protested against the Judicial Office’s Remuneration and Other Entitlements Bill and the National Assembly Members’ Salaries and Pensions Bill.
Last week, a large-scale protest erupted, with demonstrators demanding the withdrawal of the two contentious bills. The protesters did not have an opportunity to engage directly with the National Assembly leadership at that time. However, after submitting a formal petition demanding the withdrawal of these bills, the concerned citizens were invited for a dialogue.
Lamin Manneh, an executive member of the concerned citizens group, provided insights into the outcome of the meeting. “This is our first meeting, and we are here because the National Assembly members called us. Last Monday, we submitted a petition, and they have reviewed it. They wanted to hear our concerns directly. We emphasized our demand for the withdrawal of the National Assembly members’ salaries and pensions bills, as well as the judiciary officers’ remuneration and entitlements bills. They shared their concerns, suggesting that there might be a communication gap and some misunderstandings.”
The meeting was described as a preliminary step towards addressing the group’s demands, but consensus has yet to be reached. Manneh emphasized the importance of involving the group’s general membership and the public in their decision-making process.
“There is no consensus yet. We haven’t scheduled any further meetings. We left the meeting without a resolution and won’t pass any resolutions without consulting the public. Our actions will be guided by feedback from our members on our WhatsApp platform and social media. The media’s role is crucial in sharing this information,” Manneh stated.
The group, primarily led by young people, affirmed their commitment to their demands. They made it clear that they would not back down, stressing the importance of the National Assembly members listening to the people they represent.
“If people say they do not want these bills to pass, they must listen. Our petition clearly states that if our demands are not met, we will continue to protest. We will use the media to convey our discontent and inform the constituencies that their representatives are not fit for purpose if they support these segregating bills.”
As both sides remain firm in their positions, the nation watches closely to see the next steps taken by the concerned citizens group and the National Assembly. The outcome of this dialogue could significantly impact the legislative process and the relationship between the government and its citizens.
