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 National Assembly descended into chaos after Speaker of the House, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, ruled for the Member for Central Baddibu, Hon. Sulayman Saho, to vacate the chambers on 23^rd December 2024. On the same day, Pollsters, Afrobarometer issued a survey highlighting that Parliamentarians reserved the least approval after the President and Local Government Councillors. 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.

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.

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.

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.

This is the ruling of the Speaker of the Sixth Legislature, Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta, delivered on 15th November 2024 at the Gambia’s National Assembly in Banjul on the laying of the 2025 Budget.

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.

In response to the call for climate action, the National Assembly's Select Committee on Environment, Sustainable Development and NGO Affairs, joined the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and partners in launching the Environmental Democracy project.

The National Assembly appointed Mr Kalipha MM Mbye as Clerk of the National Assembly on 19th October 2024 during an Extra-Ordinary Session.

The Gambia’s National Assembly will be hosting it’s second extra-ordinary session of the 2024 Legislative year tomorrow Saturday 19th October 2024.

GT Board Director claims that his institution is yet to receive a Parliamentary Resolution on a petition filed by Senior Staff of the GT Board which was issued by Parliament in September 2024.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs issued the January to May 2024 Budget Performance Report which highlights that the government is overspending by 3% and collected 13.8% less than the revenue target for the same period.

The National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Hon Modou Lamin Bah donated a total of D60,000 to eleven different sports institutions including nine football teams on Friday 20th September 2024.

The Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) engaged National Assembly members from the Human Rights and Constitutional Matters Committee on enhancing access to justice for migrants on 20th September 2024 at the Senegambia Beach Hotel.

This is the motion tabled by Hon Sainey Jawara for Lower Saloum urging Parliament to launch an investigation into the missing 36 million metric tonnes of petroleum products scandal on 22nd July 2024. Below is the motion reproduced.