Term limit clause stalling new Constitution

Civil society groups have called on Gambian President Adama Barrow to table a final draft of the Constitution in Parliament. The Justice Ministry is in the final stages of repealing the existing Constitution. Barrow who came into office in 2017 with a promise to bring about far-reaching political reforms, set up a commission to review the Constitution as part of the transition to democracy. The Constitutional Review Commission in March presented Barrow with the draft Constitution which is expected to be passed to the National Assembly in August. Deutsche Welle reports that it appears Barrow is stalling over a clause limiting presidential term limits to 10 years. He has already served three years in office and is eyeing a fresh 10-year mandate if he wins next year's presidential election. A nationwide survey conducted by the International Republican Institute's Centre at the end of 2019 showed that more than 60% of Gambians want the current presidential term to count. Madi Jobarteh, a human rights defender, said the final draft Constitution has hugely expanded and strengthened the 1997 Constitution. ‘These rights are no limited to only to civil and political right but also social, economic and cultural rights in which the rights of women, persons with disabilities, and old people are especially guaranteed,’ Jobarteh said.