Darboe Promises New Constitution to Curb Presidential Powers

By Seedy Jobe

The leader of the United Democratic Party, A.N.M. Ousainu Darboe, has pledged to introduce a new constitution that would curb what he described as excessive presidential powers and strengthen the authority of citizens and democratic institutions.

“The president should not be a king over you,” Mr. Darboe said during a fundraising event organized by the UDP GASH Chapter in Switzerland.

Mr. Darboe said a UDP government would pursue sweeping constitutional and institutional reforms, including changes to how senior public officials are appointed and removed from office.

Under his proposal, the president would retain the power to nominate cabinet ministers, but nominees would be required to undergo vetting and confirmation by the National Assembly before taking office. Lawmakers, he said, should assess nominees on their competence, character, and commitment to the country.

“That is the kind of power the legislature should have,” he said.

Mr. Darboe also called for greater independence for the security services, particularly the office of the Inspector General of Police. He said an IGP who has been appointed and confirmed by the National Assembly should not be removable solely at the president’s discretion.

Instead, he proposed requiring parliamentary approval for the removal of an IGP, arguing that stronger safeguards would help prevent the police from being used for political purposes.

“The police will become mere tools,” Mr. Darboe said. “And it is very easy to turn workers into tools if the power given to you is unchecked.”

The UDP leader also outlined proposed changes to the Independent Electoral Commission, rejecting both the current system of presidential appointments and an alternative in which political parties select their own representatives.

“If the UDP chooses someone, that person will only look after the UDP’s interest,” he said.

Instead, Mr. Darboe proposed allowing established civil society and professional organizations—including the Supreme Islamic Council, the Gambia Christian Council, the Gambia Press Union, and the Gambia Bar Association—to nominate members of the electoral commission.

Under his proposal, the president would appoint only the commission’s chairman. Other commissioners would be nominated by civil society organizations and could not be removed without the consent of the bodies that selected them.

Mr. Darboe said such an arrangement would help create an electoral commission insulated from political control.

He emphasized that his proposed reforms were not aimed specifically at President Adama Barrow but were intended to establish lasting safeguards for future governments. His remarks came as he responded to what he described as Mr. Barrow’s objections that proposed constitutional reforms would strip the presidency of too much authority.

“When we say president, we do not mean Barrow,” Mr. Darboe said. “You can make laws that will govern tomorrow and the near future. Gambian people, give me five years and I will bring you that kind of law.”

Mr. Darboe also pledged to repeal provisions of the Public Order Act that require political parties and other groups to obtain police permission before holding public meetings.

He questioned why citizens should need authorization from the Inspector General of Police to exercise a right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Constitution.

“If the Constitution says you have the right to freedom of assembly, why should I need someone’s permission to exercise that right?” he asked.

Mr. Darboe accused the Barrow administration of retaining the law because it gives the government leverage over political opponents by restricting their ability to organize freely.

The proposed reforms form part of Mr. Darboe’s broader argument that presidential authority should be subject to stronger institutional checks, with greater powers vested in Parliament, independent institutions and citizens.

“The president should not be a king over you,” he said.