The Gambia’s National Assembly was forced to adjourn its sitting on 3 December 2025, after it failed to meet the minimum quorum required to begin parliamentary business.

When Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta took the Chair at 10:00 a.m., there were not enough Members present to proceed, prompting brief interventions on the correct parliamentary procedure.

In his ruling, Speaker Jatta expressed concern over repeated delays caused by poor attendance and late arrivals. Quoting Standing Order 12(1), he reminded Members that in the absence of a quorum, the House can be adjourned to a later time not exceeding one hour or to another date.

However, he said stronger action was necessary.

“I do not want us to adjourn for just 30 minutes or one hour. If I am adjourning, I will adjourn till the next day so that we all know things have fallen apart,” he told the Assembly.

The sitting was rescheduled for Thursday, 4 December 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

The adjournment follows similar challenges during Monday’s sitting, despite the presence of the Vice President and Cabinet Ministers.

Speaker Jatta urged Members to uphold procedural discipline, stressing that punctuality is essential for the effectiveness of the Assembly’s legislative and oversight work.

By Adama Makasuba