Constitution

The Gambia Bar Association has issued a statement announcing that it has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of President Adama Barrow’s appointment of Mr. Edi Faal as the Chief Justice of The Gambia.

More in the press release.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Fiscal Transparency (CCBT) ratified a set of almost 70 recommendations and submitted them to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) on 12th July 2019.

More in the news report.

Nineteen individuals, including activist Yusef Taylor and rapper Ali “Killa Ace” Cham, were arrested on Friday, 22nd August 2025, following a peaceful protest outside the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) headquarters.

The demonstration was held in response to a controversial directive that triggered a 243% increase in mobile data promotional prices. Although the protest was static and conducted without loudspeakers or a procession, the Gambia Police Force deemed it unlawful, citing the lack of a permit under the Public Order Act.

The Gambia’s 2024 Draft Constitution suffered a decisive blow in the National Assembly after the Minority Caucus voted against it during the crucial Second Reading on 7th June 2025, denying the bill the three-quarters majority required for passage. Despite support from the Majority Caucus, the constitution failed to clear the legal threshold, marking the second time Parliament has blocked efforts to replace the 1997 Constitution. More in this report.

President Adama Barrow will give an early State of the Nation Address for 2025, just a week before the Second Reading of the 2024 Draft Constitution in Parliament. The address highlights the government’s focus on governance and constitutional reform. More in the report.

Almost a year after the First National Dialogue held in February 2024, a report published on the engagement highlights how the Executive was cautioned to build consensus prior to tabling a new Draft Constitution in Parliament. More in this report.

As Gambians await a new Constitution, with strong opposition from opposition party leaders and several civil society organisations, Justice Minister Hon. Dawda A. Jallow has pledged to defend the 2024 Draft Constitution in Parliament. More in the report from the first Mansakunda Townhall of 2025.

Former Parliamentarian for Serrekunda, Hon. Halifa Sallah, the leader of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), held a press conference on the 8th of January 2025 urging members of the Sixth Legislature to take ownership of the Constitution Building process and to “axe” and “mould” the Constitution into a bill fit for purpose. More in the report.

The Justice Minister, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, tabled the 2024 Draft Constitution in Parliament for its First Reading on Monday, 23rd December 2024. More in the report.

The Minority Leader of the 6th Legislature revealed that Constitution Talks with International IDEA's Dr Ibn Chambas led to the 2024 Draft Constitution being delayed in Parliament. Instead of 27th November, the First Reading will now take place on 23rd December 20204. More in the report.

The National Human Rights Commission issued a Communique on their recently concluded convergence on the 2024 Draft Constitution with some 100 stakeholders recommending changes to be included by the National Assembly. More in the publication.

The 2024 Draft Constitution will no longer hold it’s second reading in December 2024 according to Parliament’s Revised Agenda. Meanwhile, in another related matter, International IDEA’s Dr Chambas has flown into town to hold “Constitution Talks” with various stakeholders after disagreements on the level of stakeholder consultations resulting in the promulgation of the 2024 Draft Constitution. More in the report.

The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) have been issued a protest permit by the Gambia Police Force yesterday 5th November 2024 to protest tomorrow, 7th November 2024 in Banjul for a return of the 2020 Draft Constitution.

After the Fifth Legislature shockingly rejected the 2020 Draft Constitution in September 2020, Justice Minister, Hon Dawda Jallow is scheduled to table the 2024 Draft Constitution in Parliament in November 2024.

Leaders from various Non-Governmental Organisations and civil society organisations meet today 29th October 2024 to chart a way forward towards the Gambia’s Constitution Building Process at the Headquarters of The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO).

The Minister of Justice revealed that a Constitution should be in place in 2025 after our reporters questioned him on the President's promise for a referendum on the Draft Constitution in December 2024.

The Minister of Justice, Hon Dawda A Jallow released a statement on 28th August 2024 on the government's decision to gazette the 2024 Draft Constitution. The statement outlines the consultation that the Minister of Justice claims was undertaken prior to the gazette.

After the Government issued the 2024 Draft Constitution last week Civil Society Organisations have issued press releases reacting to the Government's lack of consultation on the publication of the "Draft 2024 Constitution".