GAMBIA BAR ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION ON THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE
The General Membership of The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) on Monday, 6th July 2026 convened an Emergency General Meeting to consider the eligibility of Mr. Edi M.O. Faal for appointment as Chief Justice of the Republic of The Gambia.
Following the deliberation, the General Membership unanimously resolved that Mr. Faal does not meet the qualifications prescribed by section 139 (2) of the Constitution. The decision was reached after careful consideration of the expressed constitutional provisions governing appointment to the Office of Chief Justice and reflects the considered position of the GBA.
The sole issue of concern was whether the constitutional requirements for Mr Faal’s appointment to the Office of Chief Justice had been met. This should not in any way be understood as questioning Mr. Faal’sintegrity, competence, or distinguished legal career. The GBA’s position is directed solely to the constitutional question before it.
Following the meeting, the GBA formally conveyed its resolution to His Excellency the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, and the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice. In those communications, the GBA set out the constitutional basis for its position and respectfully urged the relevant constitutional authorities to give careful consideration to the issues arising under section 139 and to discharge their respective constitutional responsibilities in a manner consistent with the Constitution.
The Gambia Bar Association does not ordinarily comment on judicial appointments. It has done so in this instance because, in the considered view of its General Membership, the proposed appointment raises a serious constitutional question which ought properly to be resolved before the appointment process is concluded. The GBA regards adherence to the Constitution as indispensable to the maintenance of the rule of law, the independence of the Judiciary and public confidence in the administration of justice.
The GBA has discharged its immediate professional responsibility by formally placing its position before the relevant constitutional authorities and expects that the issues raised will receive full and careful consideration.
The GBA will continue to monitor developments and will not hesitate to take such further steps as may be appropriate in the discharge of its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and defend the supremacy of the Constitution.
Signed:
NENEH M.C. CHAM
PRESIDENT
Post Office Road, (Opposite Child Fund), Kanifing South, Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia
Tel: +220 4399888 / 202 8141 / 364 8799. Email: info@gba.gm Website: www.gba.gm
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