President Adama Barrow of the Republic of the Gambia and Lawyer Ousainu Darboe of the UDP
By Fatou Touray
President Adama Barrow and opposition leader Lawyer Ousainu Darboe held a closed-door meeting at the State House on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the country’s draft constitution, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The meeting, which lasted just over an hour, was facilitated by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns. Dr. Chambas is engaged in shuttle diplomacy aimed at securing consensus on a new constitution for the Republic of The Gambia.
Despite the high-level talks, no agreement was reached. President Barrow reportedly advocated for the 2024 draft constitution currently before Parliament, while Mr. Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), insisted on reintroducing the 2020 draft without modifications. Sources close to the discussions noted that Mr. Darboe remains firm on retaining key provisions of the 2020 draft, particularly those concerning presidential term limits.
The 2020 draft constitution, which was widely seen as a cornerstone for democratic reforms, failed to pass in Parliament after contentious debates over transitional provisions, including term limits that would affect President Barrow’s eligibility for future elections.
Observers say the failure to reach consensus could prolong political uncertainty as The Gambia seeks to finalize a constitution that reflects the aspirations of its citizens following the end of former President Yahya Jammeh’s two-decade rule.
Dr. Chambas’s diplomatic efforts are expected to continue in the coming weeks as stakeholders navigate a path forward.