Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Efforts to forge a consensus on The Gambia’s 2024 draft constitution have yet to bear fruit after an intense eleven-hour attempt to bridge the differences between President Adama Barrow and his main political rival, Ousainou Darboe. The two leaders remain divided on key constitutional provisions, despite a fresh round of talks aimed at adopting a new charter to replace the 1997 constitution.

President Barrow and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe met behind closed doors at the State House on Tuesday afternoon in discussions facilitated by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns.

Dr. Chambas has been actively engaging in shuttle diplomacy, attempting to secure consensus among The Gambia’s political elite on the long-debated constitutional reform process. The meeting, which lasted just over an hour, ended without an agreement.

At the heart of the impasse is a fundamental disagreement over the content of the draft constitution. President Barrow has thrown his support behind the 2024 draft currently before Parliament, while Mr. Darboe insists on reintroducing the 2020 draft without modifications.

The latter draft, which was initially seen as a landmark reform document, failed to pass in Parliament due to disputes over transitional provisions, particularly those concerning presidential term limits.

Mr. Darboe remains steadfast in his demand that these provisions be retained, arguing that they are essential for strengthening The Gambia’s democratic foundations.

The 2020 draft constitution was widely regarded as a necessary step in consolidating democratic governance after the ousting of former President Yahya Jammeh, who ruled the country for over two decades.

However, the failure to reach a consensus over the draft’s transitional clauses—especially whether President Barrow’s previous terms should count under the new constitution—led to its collapse in the National Assembly.

The continued deadlock between the government and the opposition raises concerns about prolonged political uncertainty in The Gambia. Without an agreed constitutional framework, efforts to institutionalize democratic reforms and define the country’s political future remain in limbo.

Dr. Chambas is expected to continue his mediation efforts in the coming weeks, seeking to bridge the divide between President Barrow and Mr. Darboe. However, with both leaders entrenched in their respective positions, finding a compromise that satisfies all parties remains a daunting challenge.