Madi Ceesay is not happy. He is a member of the UDP party. UDP is a group that opposes the current government.
Mr. Ceesay saw some signs around town. The signs tell lawmakers to pass a new constitution. Even if they have to make changes to it.
Mr. Ceesay says some groups put up the signs. One is called Gambia Participates. The UN is helping them.
This bothers Mr. Ceesay. He wonders why the UN is doing this now. They did not do it for the last draft constitution in 2020.
Mr. Ceesay thinks the people behind the signs do not understand how things work. He says changes at one stage only need a few votes to pass.
Right now, his party does not trust the ruling NPP party. The NPP has more members. That means they could make changes that UDP does not like.
That is why Mr. Ceesay does not want the draft to reach that stage. He will not agree to pass it and then make changes later.
Mr. Ceesay also does not like one specific idea in the draft. It lets the president pick the top two leaders of the National Assembly. He thinks this gives the president too much power over elected officials.
The current constitution already lets the president choose five assembly members. The 2020 draft tried to remove this power, saying all members should be elected.
However, the new 2024 draft restores the president's power to choose members, including the speaker and deputy speaker.
Mr. Ceesay argues this is a bad move. He says it goes against what President Barrow promised. The president said he would rewrite the old constitution.
Many see the 2024 draft as a step backward, not forward. They worry it gives the president too much control.
The process has been long and complex. Leaders do not always agree on what is best.
But the stakes are high. The Constitution is the most important law of the land.
Gambians will keep watching closely. They want a system that is fair and free. One that represents them well.
Getting there may take more time and talk. But Mr. Ceesay and others believe it is worth the effort.
The future of their democracy depends on it.
Mr. Ceesay saw some signs around town. The signs tell lawmakers to pass a new constitution. Even if they have to make changes to it.
Mr. Ceesay says some groups put up the signs. One is called Gambia Participates. The UN is helping them.
This bothers Mr. Ceesay. He wonders why the UN is doing this now. They did not do it for the last draft constitution in 2020.
Mr. Ceesay thinks the people behind the signs do not understand how things work. He says changes at one stage only need a few votes to pass.
Right now, his party does not trust the ruling NPP party. The NPP has more members. That means they could make changes that UDP does not like.
That is why Mr. Ceesay does not want the draft to reach that stage. He will not agree to pass it and then make changes later.
Mr. Ceesay also does not like one specific idea in the draft. It lets the president pick the top two leaders of the National Assembly. He thinks this gives the president too much power over elected officials.
The current constitution already lets the president choose five assembly members. The 2020 draft tried to remove this power, saying all members should be elected.
However, the new 2024 draft restores the president's power to choose members, including the speaker and deputy speaker.
Mr. Ceesay argues this is a bad move. He says it goes against what President Barrow promised. The president said he would rewrite the old constitution.
Many see the 2024 draft as a step backward, not forward. They worry it gives the president too much control.
The process has been long and complex. Leaders do not always agree on what is best.
But the stakes are high. The Constitution is the most important law of the land.
Gambians will keep watching closely. They want a system that is fair and free. One that represents them well.
Getting there may take more time and talk. But Mr. Ceesay and others believe it is worth the effort.
The future of their democracy depends on it.
