By Ramatoulie Jawo
On Monday, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary T. Jatta, ordered Hon. Sulayman Saho, the National Assembly Member for Central Badibou, to withdraw from the chamber for violating the Assembly’s rules.
The incident occurred after a verbal exchange between Hon. Saho and the Speaker. The Member for Sabach Sanjal raised a point of order, citing that certain members were disrupting the proceedings while another member was speaking. Hon. Saho was specifically mentioned as one of those causing the disturbance.“Hon speaker I am standing on standing order 17 (F) which reads while a member is speaking all other members shall remain silent and shall not make any interruption and some members are making so much noise while the Hon member is speaking. Like the Hon. Member for Central Badibou is making a lot of noise,” the member for Sabach Sanjal stated.
The Speaker upheld the standing order raised by the Member for Sabach Sanjal. Hon. Saho then questioned why the Speaker had sustained the point of order, especially when the Member for Sabach Sanjal was also making noise.
The speaker clarified that, according to the standing order, members should not question the speaker’s actions. In response, the member insisted on knowing whether the speaker is above the law. The speaker then replied, affirming that he is above the law in relation to the standing order of the assembly, unless it is amended.
Hon. Saho expressed his frustration, feeling unfairly singled out. He pointed out that the Member for Sabach Sanjal had been drumming during the debate, which contributed to the disruption. He expected the Speaker to rule on that as well.
“ I expect you to rule out this. How can you sustain the rule on me when this man (Hon. Alagie Babou Ceesay) is drumming, and I have been quiet all along. You are not fair to me. This man was drumming when Amadou was speaking and everybody could hear him drumming,” he stressed.
The Speaker reiterated that the relevant standing order, which requires members to remain silent while another is speaking, was correct.
Following the heated exchange, the Speaker referenced Standing Order 21, which outlines procedures for addressing disorderly conduct by a member. It states that the Speaker may order a member to withdraw from the chamber for grossly disorderly behavior.
“Honorable members, as provision of the standing order 21 (2), the speaker or chairperson may after having called the attention of the National Assembly or committee to grossly disorderly conduct of a member who(A) willfully assault, obstructs or act in a disorderly manner towards the speaker or any other member (B) Persistently and willfully obstruct the business of the assembly or committee and (F) persistently or willfully disregards the authority of the Speaker, may order the Member to withdraw immediately from the chamber or committee meeting during the remainder of the days sitting. Honorable member for central Badibou can you please withdraw from the chambers,” the Speaker ordered.
Hon. Saho refused to leave his seat, prompting the Speaker to order the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him from the chamber.
Despite repeated requests from the Speaker, Hon. Saho remained seated. This led to the Sergeant-at-Arms being called to physically escort him out. The Minority Group, in solidarity with Hon. Saho, urged the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove them as well if they were unable to leave peacefully.
This confrontation caused a disruption in the adjournment debate, a crucial session where members address important issues affecting their constituencies. Eventually, the Minority Group, led by Hon. Saho left the chamber, temporarily halting the proceedings.
The incident drew disappointment from several members, including the Speaker and the Member for Jeshwang, who expressed their dismay over the situation.