(JollofNews) – Gambia’s Adama Barrow has expressed Monday his willingness to support the restoration of presidential term limits as he presides over the swearing in ceremony of members of the Constitutional Review Commission.“I hold the view that a two-term limit for head of
state should be entrenched in the new constitution,” said President while addressing members of the commission who took their oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony held under State House’s Grand Tent in Banjul.
The tiny West African nation is emerging from the shadows of two-decade long dictatorship by the Jammeh regime. Gross human rights violations became the hallmark of the previous government, which mounted repeated attacks on the Judiciary and the Legislature.
Barrow reiterated his commitment to right the wrongs of the past in making sure Gambians will have a Constitution that will stand the test of time.
The presidential term-limits was removed in 2005 by ex-dictator Jammeh in what many observers have described as a ‘blatant attempt to cement his power.’ He also replaced the two-round system with a single round system, paving the way for the former governing party to be able to win elections with a simple majority.
Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou who spoke to this reporter welcomed the move taken by President Barrow to endorse two-term limits for head of state.
“I believe it is what the generality of Gambians want,” he said.
He went further to say that the announcement made by the Gambian leader demonstrates his commitment to building a New Gambia based upon the highest standards of democracy, democratic norms and values.
“The ball is now in the court of the Constitutional Review Commission to ensure that it is reflected in our new constitution,” he added.
I never knew a presidential term limit in the constitution needs Barrow’s “okaying” for it to become part of reforms that have been promised by the coalition of political parties that ousted Yaya.
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The most important answer journalist and political activist should make Adama spout out are to the following questions:
1) Will you stand down after the expiration of your agreed three years in charge? Or do you intend to be at the helm for a duration of five years?
2) Assuming you choose to extend your stay beyond the agreed three years to five years, will the years you serve before the coming into force of the amended constitution count as part of the ten year limit you can legally be the president?
3) Suppose you choose to serve for only three years (which is looking unlikely with the passing of everyday), will you contest another election in contravention to the coalition agreement that brought you to power?
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It will be irresponsible to keep the populace second guessing about the above matters.
We are witnessing constitutional crisis and political strife in the democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda because the ruling class in those countries know the only way to cling on to power is by keeping the citizenry in suspense and leaving possilities open to be able to tamper with their respective constitutions.
In order to to avoid such a situations from happening in The Gambia, the CRC should explicitly address this transitional period in a manner that will not leave any room for ambiguity.
The CRC has an important and a challenging task ahead of them, I therefore wish them wisdom and fortitude.
Yours in the service of The Gambia and Africa, I remain.
Lamin Old Boy! What are you smoking this morning?
The 1st part of your argument is pure semantics – and adds no value to the debate!
President Barrow said:
“I hold the view that a two-term limit for head of state should be entrenched in the new constitution … The ball is now in the court of the Constitutional Review Commission to ensure that it is reflected in our new constitution”. Did he “OK” it, “Welcome” it, “Hope for” it, blah blah … what does it matter?
Second part of your argument shows that you don’t pay attention to JOLLOFNEWS’ RESIDENT Professor (my good self!): I speaketh thus a month ago:-
1. President Barrow will serve a 5-year term;
2. President Oussainou Darboe will then serve a 5-year term;
3. President Bensouda (either of them!) will then serve two 5-year terms.
All premised on INSHALLAH (inshallah being the “get out of jail card” for my Gambian in-laws!). I have the same confidence in this prediction that I have in LeBron & Cavs winning the NBA outright … inshallah!
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PS: I spare you the agony of the “Resident Professor’s” further comment on your “3 year this”, “coalition that” etc, but I extend PDOIS, Madi, my in-law and your goodself, Old Boy, my sympathies … but politics is politics!
Lamin may not understand the whole scenario that’s why he sounds off the line.
Dida I was referring to the article headline. Check it and you will see what I mean. You see language is power and this headline gives the impression of Adama being what he is not: The father of the country.
Your predictions are entirely a matter of opinion Prof Dida.
Am just interested in Adama ruling the nation in a transparent manner that will not jeopardize the little tenets of democracy we have now started building for the future.
Whether he presides over us for three or five years is not the gist of my post. But what is stopping him from coming out clear after one and a half years of been at the mantle to tell the nation what he intends.
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Why extend sympathies when there is no cause for any. Have I missed something?
LeBron might be the one in need of sympathy at the hands of the GSW.
Faith Lamin … Lebron will spank them boys from the Gay States Warriors.
“…in making sure Gambians will have a Constitution that will stand the test of time….”
With faith, one must never given up hope; the sky can only be the limit for the Gambia in our collective strides together; further (forward) Gambia; Ever True…
The term-limit of presidency in itself sets the bar ahead; for any leadership/s to know, there’s limitation for a period, which will be indelible in records for one & administration to be judged on, (with) into posterity; importantly, not least, one will realise, (that) one will stand to be accountable for any misdoings proven either within or at end of terms; & also sets competitive atmosphere; for the “Presidential trustees” to self-task & challenge in efforts; to improve upon their predecessors’ & surpass their deliberations in societal advancement; (thereby) set the bar challengingly, for the next Successive successors & governments following to emulate; & also strive to break the Successive barriers set before; progressively into posterity….
President Barrow, politically, have already ‘put one pass his political opponents’ here; by the 6 female & 5 male in 11 citizens reportedly entrusted with this magnanimous honour of magnitude; evidently, women as majority of the population, aren’t remunerated actually in entrusted positions as required; bravo Mr president; the indicators can only be heartening; BUT….?
“… leader demonstrates his commitment to building a New Gambia based upon the highest standards of democracy, democratic norms and values…”
Mr President & Minister Tambedou-talking here; the above is true to the letter; that’s what’s required & expected of you & any other governments to come; nothing less; that’s the only way “the Bucket can hold Water”-(proverb); the Gambia today (current breed) will hold anyone to account for that; that’s for SURE….
Somewhere, differently on the Point Newspaper the AG Chambers reportedly “advised police – The Gunjur environment activists are charged with incitement of violence, criminal trespass and conspiracy to commit a crime.” on the Golden Lead company poisoning toxic waste in the environment; polluting the land, sea, plants & animals; poisoning the food-chains that everyone eats including the government officials & the proprietary; as well as the air we all breathe in; poisoning & slowly killing everyone, including the ‘very innocent’ children born in the Innocent community without a healthy future?; the foul stench odour is additionally, affecting all the other businesses & aspects of lives of residents in Gunjur too; ranging from schools & educative institutions, small hotels & Lodges, restaurants, etc etc & many more amongst; combined together, these businesses employ far more employees & generate far more revenue for the Gambia & the innocent Gunjur community collectively together; the tourism in the area & links to other small businesses in the community & being destroyed, for example, etc etc; in who’s development are the current government over-ruling the NEA & the “legitimate courts” for; corruptibly using the uniform (police) thugs to assault the environmentalists & innocent aggrieved community who are being directly affected; when you could do honestly just as you preach above & be fair to all as per Constitution….?
The Gambia community is bigger & greater than anybody; the Gunjur community will NOT be cowed NO surrender; human lives & other livelihoods are at stake here; just like from the past 22 Devilish years under the Evil kanilai Murderdom; the people will always defend their rights; that will continue until sanity & rightful actions are taken in the Golden Lead illegalities…
God bless Gambia….
According to Foroyaa newspaper the aggrieved Gunjur environmentalists continues to be harassed; by the very Barrow government who swore the Holy Qur’an; to protect every citizen’s rights without favouritism & Ill-will; in the very same Court which certified the very same NEA Injunction against the very Environmental Poisoning ILLEGALITY, which was overruled by this very same government for dialogue that never was…?
“on June 5th, Brikama magistrate Court The four activists who were not represented by a legal practitioner are charged with the following THREE counts:
Conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to section 368 of the Criminal Code Cap 10.01 Vol. III
Criminal trespass, contrary to section 285 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 10.01Vol III
Willful damage to property, contrary to section 312 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 10.01 Vol III Laws of the Gambia 2009.
Yesterday’s proceedings kicked off with the testimony of Prosecution Witness 1
(PW 1)…Mr. Bakary Darboe…told the court that he is a native of Gunjur… he is the General Manager of the Golden Lead Import and Export Company Ltd….into the business processing fish into fish meal and fish oil respectively…they…employed 80 natives of Gunjur….said prior to Golden Lead operations in Gunjur, their management together with one Mr. Dibba of the National Environment Agency embarked on an assessment study at two similar factories in Senegal and Mauritania respectively…“The primary intentions of visit was to ascertain how those factories managed their waste products…we realised that the said two companies discharged their waste directly into the Atlantic Ocean,” PW 1 stated. He said upon their return to The Gambia, they also “thought that they could do the same thing since it is the same Atlantic Ocean” and that is why they (Golden Lead) too connected pipes to discharge their waste into the Ocean. He admitted that after some time, the NEA recommended that they should put in place a standard and a functional “treatment” plant before continuing to discharge waste into the Ocean but they (Golden Lead) failed to meet this requirement and then they were dragged to court by NEA and charged with 4 counts of offence. PW 1 testified that during the course of the hearings, the NEA withdrew the case but he failed to state the reasons for such a move.”
#From the horse’s (Bakary’s) own mouth, everyone can see for ourselves the whole truth….?
Bakary will be allowed to continue to lie in this kangaroo court; that they “have now put a treatment-plant; when they have just put up some fake decoy structures, while still polluting more deadly toxic waste into the environment & ocean, just the same like “the ocean pollution companies they allegedly visited in Senegal & Mauritania”? then it’s the same acceptable “Environment polluting Senegal” where the Golden Lead doctored “treatment tests” came from, which (according to the officials) exonerated the golden lead company now that they are compliant”; is this government really serious to think ‘two adults can look into one another’s eyes & lie blatantly; won’t it be purely Complimentary, to call one a ‘liar’ in the instance in honesty…?
State resources are being utilised by this government to harass the very innocent peasantry being directly affected here, by the ‘Corrupt & Powerful’ but Allah (SWT) Is Watching As Always; where is the justice for not providing legal representation for those environmentalists under the kangaroo charges here too, which is the same responsibility of the state who unfairly provided the prosecution representative & the magistrate & the uniform thugs being used illegitimately in bias….?
How many people does a single school & educative institution can employ separately on their own as compared to Golden Pollution co (80), whom all will not be full-time employees; as compared to all other businesses in the community individually on their own; what about combine in their total employees together against the Destructive Lead company…?
I call on the environmentalists to report their case to the African Centre for Democracy & Human Rights on Kairaba Avenue & also the Truth, Reparations & Reconciliation Commission to draw this magnificent fight to the World Stage; to get justice being denied in this golden lead illegality to be served by this government bent on serving the corruptible political interest in this case; as against doing the rightful required justice for the greater community…
Everybody, resort to prayers individually on our own & together in congratulations; please use the powerful (ALFAAROH) prayers anytime we say our daily prayers; & invoke curse from Almighty Allah to use His MAGNIFICENT HANDS & PLEASE destroy this Golden Lead company instead of the innocent community of Gunjur & Gambia in generality; meanwhile, this noble fight for the community together must & will continue in all & any ways, to the end; importantly, for the innocent children being born in the Poison-plagued community without futures; well as for future unborn generations for the whole Gambia….
Forward Gambia; Down with Parasitism in any shapes & forms…
God bless Gambia…