President Adama Barrow has said his administration will work towards building consensus for the establishment of a new Gambian constitution.

The draft constitution which was expected to replace the 1997 Constitution was rejected at the National Assembly in 2020 after lawmakers failed to agree on certain clauses.

However, President Barrow has promised, in his second term inaugural speech, that his government is committed to get the country a new constitution. 

He also urged stakeholders to be open-minded over the draft constitution in order for its to succeed.

“To break the deadlock surrounding the draft constitution, the new government will work towards building consensus for the establishment of a new Republican Constitution. We advise all stakeholders to be open-minded for this to succeed,” President Barrow said.

He continued: “Our Foreign policy is now robust and fruitful enough to build on. The Gambia has regained her position in the international community, and we have successfully expanded friendship and cooperation around the world.

“We will pursue this with vigour, beginning with our friends and neighbours in the sub-region and the African continent. 

“In particular, ECOWAS provides a platform for dialogue, cooperation, joint ventures and collaboration on regional and global matters.

“We are greatly indebted to ECOWAS for standing by us, providing the most needed support, most especially during and after the 2016 political impasse. 

“Their guidance and support to establish and maintain peace and stability during our transition programme contributed to the successful conduct of the last presidential election.”

According to the president, the presence of ECOMIG signifies the relevance and competence of ECOWAS as a regional body.

“Therefore, we pay immense tribute to the leaders of this great Organisation, past and present, for their impressive contribution to the welfare of our peoples.  Without the continuous backing of ECOWAS, the pace of our transition would have been hindered,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba