The Gambian President Adama Barrow has assured Gambians of a new draft constitution as he touted his administration as a “very tolerant” government.

The multi-million dalasis draft constitution failed to pass in parliament several years ago after lawmakers of the ruling National People’s Party blocked it. 

The ruling NPP had differed with opposition parties including their political rival the United Democratic Party on certain clauses in the draft constitution.

Speaking at the State House in Banjul, Barrow said: “I assure you that this government is a very tolerant government. By its leadership, we are very, very tolerant. Even though we have some bad laws in our constitution, we are not using them.

“There is that political will to make sure we have laws that will accommodate every Gambian. And right now, we are discussing the constitution. We have started it page by page. We are all contributing towards it so that we have a new draft and then we will present it to the National Assembly for enactment.” 

“So, it’s our responsibility to all of us, especially the civil society, because we see you as neutral, we see you as referees. So that you can mediate, you can be referees between political parties and communities or religious leaders so that we can have consensus and have a new constitution and that will be part of the Third Republic,” he added.