The police have given protesters against the highly criticized 2024 draft constitution a huge boost by allowing them to demonstrate in favor of the 2020 draft, which they claim better represents the goals of the Gambian people.
The Coalition of Progressive Gambians, one of the campaigners, declared yesterday that they would demonstrate at the National Assembly today.
According to Seedy Cham, the coalition’s chairman, they are going out to voice their disagreement to the government’s “unilateral behavior” in introducing the 2024 draft and changing it to fit the president’s objectives without consulting anyone.
He stated that there is widespread discontent with the draft and that the 2020 document, which was created by the Constitutional Review Commission, should be returned. “We will demand that the CRC draft be restored,” he declared.
Many people criticized the recently gazetted document for its “self-serving nature and lack of transference.”
Before it is presented for a first reading in the National Assembly, it is anticipated to be republished.
Police authorization
The group’s police permission, however, only allows it to demonstrate for two hours and stipulates that it must stay between the National Assembly building and Bond Road at Banjul’s entrance.
Only a two-person delegation will be allowed to deliver their complaint letter to the Ministry of Justice and National Assembly officials, the police said, adding that “derogatory remarks or words” would not be tolerated during the demonstration.
