By Seedy Jobe
The civic movement Gambia for Term Limits (GFTL) on Saturday called on President Adama Barrow to respect a two-term limit on the presidency, urging Gambians to oppose any attempt by him to seek another term in office.
At a press conference in Bakau, the group said its gathering was intended to spark a national conversation on constitutionalism, democratic governance, and the role of women in safeguarding The Gambia’s democracy.
GFTL described itself as a peaceful civic movement committed to constitutional democracy, good governance, accountability, the rule of law, and presidential term limits. The group argued that fixed presidential terms are essential to protecting democratic institutions and ensuring peaceful transfers of power.
“We believe that constitutional time limits protect democracy, strengthen institutions, ensure peaceful transfers of power, and safeguard the rights and freedoms of both present and future generations,” the group said.
Several speakers urged Gambians, regardless of political affiliation, to reject any effort to extend the presidency beyond two terms.
Isatou Saidy, popularly known as Musol Baa, said two terms should be sufficient for any president and called on Gambian women to take an active role in defending constitutional term limits.
She warned that another term for President Barrow would come at the country’s expense, arguing that The Gambia risked falling behind while other nations continued to advance. She also criticized government ministers for what she described as prioritizing praise for the president over addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Ms. Saidy said she was prepared to lead a nationwide campaign opposing any third-term bid by President Barrow.
Fatou Ceesay, another speaker, linked the debate over presidential term limits to broader concerns about security and the cost of living. She expressed concern over what she described as rising insecurity and worsening economic hardship, accusing the government of failing to adequately respond to citizens’ challenges.
She urged Gambians to work together to ensure that President Barrow leaves office at the end of what she described as his constitutionally permitted tenure.
The event, however, was interrupted after officials at the President’s International Award Skills Training Centre in Bakau halted the gathering.
Pa Malick Ceesay, director of the center, said management had not been informed that the venue would be used for a press conference opposing a possible third-term bid by the president. As a public institution, he said, the center does not host events intended to challenge a sitting president, describing the incident as a communication failure between organizers and management.
GFTL organizers disputed that explanation.
Fatou Ceesay Touray, the group’s secretary, said GFTL had paid D18,000 to rent the venue after negotiating down an initial fee of D25,000. Displaying what she said was a payment receipt, she questioned why the event had been stopped despite the prior arrangement.
“Where did the democracy go that they claim?” she asked.
Nfally Jobarteh, another member of the movement, argued that President Barrow should step aside to allow new leadership, while criticizing what he described as restrictions on freedom of expression.
Doudou Kassa Jatta alleged that the decision to halt the event was influenced by President Barrow and the country’s security authorities, though he did not provide evidence for the claim. He also said the group had previously submitted four letters to the Inspector General of Police seeking engagement on the issue of presidential term limits but had not received the outcome it expected.
GFTL said the press conference was intended to amplify women’s voices in the national debate on governance, constitutionalism and presidential term limits.
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