The attorney general and minister of justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, has officially tabled the much-anticipated Draft Constitution of The Gambia Promulgation Bill 2024 before lawmakers in the National Assembly.
During Monday’s session, the justice minister submitted the bill to the clerk of the National Assembly, who read it aloud for its first reading in accordance with parliamentary standing orders. The bill, originally scheduled for presentation on November 27, 2024, was rescheduled for this session. It seeks to repeal the 1997 constitution and establish a new legal framework for the Republic of The Gambia.
Hon. Fabakary T. Jatta, speaker of the National Assembly, outlined the next steps for the legislative process, explaining that the second reading of the bill will occur during the next ordinary session. “Honourable members, the bill has been read the first time. The next stage of the Constitution of The Gambia Promulgation Bill 2024 will be appointed during the next ordinary session for the person in charge of the bill to move a motion for the second reading in accordance with order 66 (2),” he stated.
The push for a new constitution has been a longstanding demand of Gambians advocating for the Third Republic, a key promise made by the 2016 coalition government. The 2020 attempt to introduce a new constitution, however, faltered when the National Assembly rejected the Constitution Promulgation Bill 2020, leaving the country governed by the 1997 constitution.
With the introduction of the 2024 draft, many citizens are hopeful this version will succeed where the previous attempt failed, bringing the long-awaited constitutional reforms closer to fruition.
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