Minority Caucus Rejects 2024 Draft Constitution
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.
Basse Magistrate Decries Witchcraft Accusations as WAVE Engages Community
Magistrate Peter Che of Basse has raised the alarm over the ongoing practice of witchcraft accusations in the Basse, describing it as a dangerous legacy of the past now magnified by social media. The Magistrate emphasized that although the former president is no longer in power, the issue of witchcraft accusations persists. More in this report.
NAMs Spend All Day Considering 18 Clauses on National Security Council Bill
Parliamentarians failed to complete the consideration stage of 26 clauses in the National Security Council (NSC) Bill on 18th March 2025, as lengthy deliberations and disagreements over key provisions prolonged the debate. More in the Parliamentary report.
Gambia to Submit Ongoing Report on Migrant Workers’ Rights Under ICRMW
The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, launched a three-day workshop in Bakau on 25th February 2025, aimed at improving reporting under the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW). The event highlighted The Gambia's ongoing efforts to align its domestic policies with international human rights standards, particularly in relation to migrant workers' rights. More in the report.
President Barrow’s Early SONA 2025 to Precede Crucial Draft Constitution Reading
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.
Judiciary Trains Legal Practitioners in Preparation for Establishment of Commercial Court
The Gambian Judiciary conducted a two-day training session for legal practitioners and court staff on commercial law and court management to establish an effective commercial court. More in the report.
Six First Class Magistrates Appointed to Strengthen the Judiciary
The Gambia's Chief Justice, Hon. Hassan B Jallow presided over the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed first-class magistrates at his Chambers in Banjul on Monday 10th February 2025. More in the publication.
WFD Trains NAMs on Post-Legislative Scrutiny to Strengthen Oversight
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) conducted a one-day training for Members of the National Assembly on Post-Legislature Scrutiny on Saturday, 18th January 2024. More in the report.
Justice Minister Vows to Defend 2024 Draft Constitution in Parliament
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.
2024 Draft Constitution’s 2nd Reading Knocked Out as Int. IDEA Commences Constitution Talks
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.
Hon Touma Njie Maintains Seat but Loses Injunction Against Kebba Jallow’s PPP Leadership
Hon Fatoumatta Njie of Banjul South maintained her parliamentary seat for Banjul South but lost her application for series of injunctions against the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party, Mr Kebba Jallow on Thursday 5th December 2024.
More in the story.
The Gambia’s Outdated Lunatics Detention Act in Violation of the African Charter
This report revisits The Gambia’s responsibility to invest time and resources to replace the century old Lunatics Detention Act still in use since the Colonial period as recommended by the ACHPR some 21 years ago. Our report interrogates the government’s efforts to improve mental health care in the country.
Minority Leader: Laying of 2025 Budget is Unconstitutional
The Minority Leader for the Sixth Legislature raised a Point of Order labelling the tabling of the 2025 Budget by the Minister for Finance as unconstitutional. After an eventful session which was interrupted twice, Speaker Jatta ruled for the Finance Minister to apologize and proceed with tabling the Budget.
Breaking: 2024 Draft Constitution Set for Parliament in November and December 2024
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.
Judiciary Appoints Three Magistrates and One Justice of the Peace
The Government of the Gambia under the auspice of the Judicial Service Commission headed by the Chief Justice appointed three new first-class Magistrates and one Justice of the Peace on 25th September 2024 at the Banjul Court House Building in Independence Drive.
Notaries Associations Warns Public of Fraudulent Stamps for Illegal Activities
A press release from the Association of Notaries is warning the public of the fraudulent use of stamps through impersonation and the use of stamps owned by deceased persons conducting illegal activities.
MoJ Outlines Consultation on 2024 Draft Constitution
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.
FGM/C Bill, Vetting Bill, State of The Nation Set for Parliament in June and July 2024
The Gambia’s National Assembly is scheduled to start their Second Ordinary Session of the year 2024 on 24th June and conclude on 24th July 2024 which will see the return of the Women's Amendment Bill, the controversial Vetting Bill and President Adama Barrow’s 2024 State of the Nation Address.
Female Circumcision Predates Islam says Imam Basiru Drammeh
Imam Basiru Drammeh of Latrikunda Central Mosques revealed that Female Genital Mutilation / Circumcision predates Islam and is not associated with Islam during a panel discussion organized by the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights on 17th May 2024.
President’s 2020 SONA & Constitution Bill 2020 set for Parliament Next Week
The Gambia’s Minister for Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow is set to table “The Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia” on Monday 14th September 2020 before the National Assembly for the first reading. According to the National Assembly’s Agenda for the “third ordinary session of the National Assembly in the 2020 Legislative Year”.

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