By Fatou Sillah
President Adama Barrow on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the rule of law, saying The Gambia’s democratic stability depends on a careful balance of power among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Speaking at the opening of the country’s first tripartite conference on the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles, Mr. Barrow said no single branch of government could sustain democracy on its own. Instead, he said, each must operate independently while cooperating within the limits of the Constitution.
“The strength of our nation lies not in the power of one branch of government but in the balance among all three, namely the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary,” Mr. Barrow said.
The three-day conference brings together representatives of the three branches of government, Commonwealth partners, and other stakeholders to examine institutional independence, public accountability, and cooperation in democratic governance.
The Latimer House Principles outline standards for relations among the branches of government in Commonwealth countries, emphasizing judicial independence, parliamentary accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
Mr. Barrow described the gathering as evidence of The Gambia’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions through dialogue, cooperation, and adherence to constitutional principles.
He said the country’s transition from decades of authoritarian rule reflected Gambians’ determination to restore constitutional government, accountability, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
Since that transition, Mr. Barrow said, the country has undertaken reforms aimed at strengthening judicial independence, expanding parliamentary oversight, and improving accountability within the executive branch. He did not provide details about the reforms in his remarks.
The president acknowledged that building a durable democracy was an unfinished and often difficult process. But he said continued dialogue, institutional cooperation, and adherence to the law were essential to developing resilient public institutions.
“The rule of law is non-negotiable, and democratic balance is essential for peace, justice, and sustainable development,” he said.
Mr. Barrow said the conference would allow participants to assess the country’s progress, consider the challenges that remain, and renew their commitment to a democratic system grounded in good governance.
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