Kerr Fatou Reporter Speaking to Gambians
By Fatou Sillah
As the debate around the 2024 draft constitution intensifies, Gambians are voicing their discontent and calling for the reinstatement of the 2020 draft constitution. During a visit to the bustling Serekunda Market, Kerr Fatou engaged with citizens who expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the 2024 draft, describing it as unrepresentative of their needs and interests.
Abdoulie Ceesay, a vendor, criticized the 2024 draft as favoring the current administration rather than the people.
“This Constitution is Barrow’s Constitution, crafted with the help of his Justice Minister, but it does not serve the best interests of the Gambian people. We demand the return of the 2020 draft constitution. When the 2020 draft was presented to parliament, it was rejected because it did not benefit Adama Barrow, particularly with the term limit. Now, they are presenting this new constitution to us. We will never accept it,” he said.
Conteh Camara, another vendor, shared similar sentiments, urging the National Assembly to reject the 2024 draft.
“I am against the 2024 draft constitution because it does not reflect the will of the Gambian people. The 2020 draft, which was discarded, is what we all wanted. This new draft is essentially President Barrow’s document, designed to favor him rather than the citizens. If the 2024 draft is approved, it will only lead to more suffering for the people. Adama Barrow should bring back the constitution that had the consensus of all Gambians,” she stated.
Muhammed Sillah, also a vendor, described the 2024 draft as a betrayal of the people’s will.
“My position on the 2024 draft is that it should be referred to as Dawda Jallow’s draft constitution. The CRC draft constitution is what Gambians collectively recommended, as it was developed through our participation and reflects our needs. That is the constitution we deserve. This Dawda Jallow draft shouldn’t even be up for discussion. The National Assembly should reject it outright and not allow it to progress to a second reading. It’s an insult to Gambians, especially considering the significant loss of over 100 million dalasis spent on the 2020 draft, which was ultimately discarded,” he stated.
Ansumana Jammeh echoed these sentiments, calling the 2024 draft a “joke” and urging lawmakers to act in the country’s best interest.
“This 2024 draft, which we called the Barrow Draft, seems to be entirely based on his personal whims,” he stated. “The National Assembly Members (NAMs) shouldn’t even entertain this draft because it serves no one but the government. It’s a complete farce and should be discarded outright. The NAMs must prioritize the nation’s interests over their own self-serving agendas. We, the people, do not want this constitution.”
Sulayman Dampha, the PRO of Serekunda Market, emphasized that the 2020 draft was a product of extensive public consultation and should be reinstated.
“The Gambians want the 2020 draft constitution because it was highly consultative and represented the people’s will, including provisions like the term limit. However, it became evident that the president and his allies deliberately withheld their support for the draft, as its provisions—particularly the term limit—did not align with his interests. Now, with the 2024 draft, it’s clear that the president has introduced it to serve his own agenda, showing disregard for the citizens’ voices and attempting to impose it by force. How can a president declare their assets before assuming office but fail to do so afterward? It’s unacceptable. We reject the 2024 draft and do not want it to pass,” he stated.
Mussu Saho, another market vendor, criticized the lack of public consultation for the 2024 draft and its perceived focus on executive interests.
“This constitution does not serve us because the citizens were not consulted before it was introduced. It seems they are only doing it for their own interests. If they truly considered the citizens, it would have worked for everyone. We are exhausted. We fought against Yahya Jammeh, but at least we had peace during his time. Now, we are calling on President Barrow to step down because we are tired. Every day, we pray to God for President Barrow to leave office,” she said.