Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in The Gambia (TANGO) has strongly criticized the recent statements made by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dawda Jallow, regarding the involvement of civil society in the consultation processes leading to the 2024 draft constitution.

TANGO described the Justice Minister’s claims as misleading and asserted that civil society organizations (CSOs) were not adequately consulted during the crucial stages of the draft constitution’s development.

The controversy emerged during a heated press conference held on August 28th, where the Justice Minister highlighted that the first phase of mediation, which took place between December 2020 and March 2021, included intense consultations with political party leaders, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and faith-based groups.

This phase was facilitated by H.E. Goodluck E. Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, with support from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

In response, TANGO Chairperson Mrs. Yadicon Njie Eribo issued a counter-statement refuting the Minister’s claims. She clarified that the engagement with former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2021 was centered on the failed 2020 draft constitution, not the ongoing process for the 2024 draft.

Mrs. Njie emphasized that while civil society was consulted during this period, it was primarily to build consensus for reviving the constitution-building process, not to shape the content of the draft itself.

“The assertion that civil society was adequately consulted during the initial phase of mediation for The Gambia’s 2024 draft constitution is fundamentally flawed and misleading,” Mrs. Njie stated. “As the umbrella association for CSOs, TANGO, Board and Secretariat have not been involved or consulted in the process of drafting the gazetted 2024 draft Constitution.”

She further stressed the critical role that CSOs play in promoting democracy, human rights, and social justice in The Gambia. According to Mrs. Njie, CSOs act as intermediaries between the government and the public, advocating for transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in governance. She highlighted the importance of CSO involvement in the constitutional building process to ensure it is genuinely representative and reflective of the needs and aspirations of the broader populace.

TANGO has called on the Justice Minister to provide specific details about the CSOs that were supposedly engaged during the consultation process, including information on when, where, and how these consultations took place. The organization also urged the National Assembly to establish a broad-based consultative process, allowing all stakeholders the opportunity to fully participate in shaping the draft constitution.

“Now that the draft has been gazetted before being tabled at the National Assembly, we urge the Honourable Members of the Assembly to create a broad-based consultative process in which all stakeholders will have the opportunity to fully participate,” Mrs. Njie added.

While expressing concern over the information provided by the Attorney General during the press conference, TANGO welcomed the explanatory notes accompanying the gazetted draft. The organization has committed to thoroughly reviewing the draft constitution and preparing a position paper that will be shared widely with stakeholders.

TANGO’s response underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the constitution-building process in The Gambia, highlighting the critical need for transparency, inclusiveness, and genuine consultation with all relevant stakeholders.