Nianija MP Backs 2024 Draft Constitution, Urges Colleagues to Ignore Social Media Influence
Amadou Camara, National Assembly Member for Nianija
By Fatou Sillah
During the second reading of the 2024 Draft Constitution, the National Assembly Member for Nianija Constituency, Hon. Amadou Camara, strongly urged fellow lawmakers to support the bill and not allow social media commentary to influence their decision-making.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Camara emphasized that members of parliament are elected to reflect the will and aspirations of the Gambian people—not online narratives.
“We represent people, and whatever we say here, it should be reflective of the wishes and aspirations of Gambian people,” he said. “When the 2020 draft was presented here, I received more than 50 international and local calls, and now what I am seeing is people going on social media saying whatever they want to say; we need our 2020 draft. Who will present a bill before the parliament in the same format as it was rejected?” he asked.
Addressing criticisms that the 2024 draft has been weakened by the executive, Camara dismissed such claims as politically motivated.
“The executive has butchered this; there are so many things that are removed, there are so many things that were in the 2020 and are supposed to be here—those are political statements,” he insisted.
Camara stressed the urgent need for constitutional reform, regardless of whether it is based on the 2020, or 2024 versions.
“There is nobody who wouldn’t agree with me that The Gambia doesn’t need a draft constitution. Be it the 2020 or 2019 or whatever. We need a new constitution, and everyone is talking about that. Even if you refuse to vote for this today, you know that Gambia needs a constitution,” he stressed.
He further argued that the only viable path toward constitutional reform is through the introduction of a promulgation bill in the National Assembly, whether now or in the near future. Stating, “The only way we can have a new document is by bringing a constitutional promulgation bill here before parliament and being it today or tomorrow. Gambia has moved far beyond where we are, and we will have a constitution.”
Camara reminded members that following the rejection of the 2020 draft, it was the executive that took the initiative to present a new version—the current 2024 draft.
“If parliament thinks there are one or two things that are missing, it is our responsibility to restore it back and we have the bill from the first reading to the second reading. There is nothing parliament cannot do. Let’s make the best use of that and make sure we write history,” he asserted.
He also highlighted the wide latitude Parliament holds in shaping legislation. According to Camara, the major constitutional concerns of Gambians—such as term limits, absolute majority, citizenship, and human rights—are already addressed in the current draft.“What every Gambian wants, especially in politics, is the issue of term limits, the issue of an absolute majority, the issue of citizenship, the issue of human rights—you name it, but we can’t have it all perfect, but all those are captured here,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Camara called on his colleagues to remain steadfast and allow the legislative process to proceed. “Let nobody decide to guide us or direct us; this is our house. and make sure we do the needful. And give this bill a chance for it to sail through the second reading; it will be referred to a committee where constructive dialogue can be done.”