The Constitution is not just a document; it is the foundation of our democracy and the roadmap for our future. As Gambians, we came together in 2020 to create The People’s Draft Constitution. This was not an ordinary draft; it was born from countless voices, experiences, and dreams that reflected who we were and where we wanted to go as a nation.
Today, that vision is under threat. President Barrow and his administration have rejected our draft and introduced their version, a document designed to serve their interests, not the people’s will. This is not just disappointing; it is dangerous.
The 2020 Draft Constitution is People’s Draft, Our Voice, a reflection of the aspirations of every Gambian. It was inclusive, transparent, and accurate, representing our collective hopes for justice, fairness, and accountability. To throw it away is to silence us.
We Cannot Be Complacent; many people say we should accept Barrow’s Draft Constitution and make the necessary changes. Too often, we have compromised when we should have stood firm. The Coalition Agreement was a compromise, and we still pay the price. Let us learn from that mistake and refuse to settle for anything less than we deserve.
A Constitution that belongs to the people, not a president, should be impartial. It is not a tool for one leader or group to dictate how they will govern us. Gambians deserve a constitution that guarantees their freedoms, checks power, and fosters progress, not one designed to entrench the status quo.
No Rushing, No Compromise: building a nation takes time, and creating a constitution reflecting people’s will requires careful deliberation. We must not rush this process or accept shortcuts that betray our trust.
As a Gambian, I am deeply troubled by our direction. I know what it means to fight for justice, inclusion, and a better future for ourselves and our children. This is why I refuse to stay silent.
This is not just about rejecting Barrow’s draft; it is about standing up for the soul of our democracy. It is about saying, “Enough is enough.” We will no longer allow anyone, not even a President, to impose their will on us.
If we let this pass, we are setting a dangerous precedent in which the people’s voices can be ignored and our aspirations cast aside. But if we stand together and demand the return of the 2020 Draft Constitution, we can protect our future and the future generations and build a Gambia that we all yearned for.
Demand the Return of the 2020 Draft Constitution; this is our document, crafted with our input. It must be brought back for consideration.
Reject Authoritarianism in All Forms; we cannot allow a constitution that concentrates power and undermines our democracy.
No Rushing, No Compromising; we deserve a constitution that reflects our dreams and protects our rights for future generations.
Together, we can ensure that the Constitution is not a document for a few but a guiding light for us all. This is not the time for complacency. It is the time for courage. Let us reject Barrow’s draft and demand a Constitution honouring people’s will.
NoToBarrowsDraft
BringBackThePeoplesDraft
DefendDemocracy
MayGodblessTheGambia
MayGodBlessAndProtectOurPeople
By Ndey jobarteh
