During an interview with AG Radio on Friday evening, Mr. Sulayman Ben Suwareh conveyed his appreciation to PDOIS, under the leadership of the Honourable Halifa Sallah, for openly articulating its stance on President Adama Barrow’s proposed 2024 Constitution. Although this action was long overdue, I still hope it might inspire other politicians to express their opposition to the draft constitution.
Mr. Suwareh indicates that PDOIS appeared to lack active support for the 2020 Draft Constitution, as public observations suggest that their absence of proposals regarding this draft implies a reluctance to actively support it.
PDOIS proposed prior to the 2020 Draft that the current 1997 Constitution be revised and subsequently presented to the public for approval through a referendum, instead of developing a new constitution. Subsequently, certain Gambian lawyers asserted that the 1997 constitution had undergone substantial amendments, rendering them unable to recognise it as a coherent legal framework, as it seemed to consist of two separate constitutions merged into a single document. Ultimately, it was concluded that creating a new constitution would be more advantageous than amending the current one. Mr. Suwareh states that this is the reason the CRC was established through a parliamentary act that mandated the creation of a new Gambia constitution.
A written constitution should reflect the interests of the people rather than serve political agendas. Mr. Suwareh stated that although no constitution is perfect, it is a common understanding that the CRC 2020 Draft Constitution embodies the people’s will. Every organisation, political party, and politician had the chance to share their views on the 2020 Draft, but did they all take that opportunity?
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