Momodou Sabally, special adviser to Gambian President Adama Barrow, has called on opposition members to change their position regarding the 2020 draft constitution. This comes after United Democratic Party leader, Ousainou Darboe, stated that his party would not support the draft if the government altered its original form.
Sabally expressed that opposition members should be open to revisions and engage in democratic processes of debate and consensus-building. He argued that the 2020 draft constitution was not flawless and criticized those insisting on its perfection, calling their stance undemocratic.
He further challenged the idea that the draft, which he claims contains elements plagiarized from Kenya’s constitution, should be accepted without question. Sabally stressed that governance requires compromise among all political and social groups, not rigid adherence to any single viewpoint.
Reflecting on his early criticism of the Constitutional Review Commission, Sabally urged stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations, to allow the National Assembly to engage in discussions aimed at building consensus. He emphasized the need for practical governance and adjustments to the draft that would best serve the country’s interests.
Sabally also dismissed concerns about the consultation process, asserting that the Commission had adequately sought public input, even traveling abroad for feedback. He defended the government’s adjustments to the draft, stating that the changes were necessary for effective governance.
