Lamin J. Darboe Pledges New Constitution Within 18 Months, Rules Out Second Term

By Fatou Sillah

Lamin J. Darboe, presidential candidate of Team Gambia Coalition, has pledged to introduce a new constitution within 18 months of taking office if elected, promising to establish a two-term presidential limit and strengthen safeguards against the concentration of executive power.

Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Darboe said constitutional reform would be among his administration’s foremost priorities, arguing that stronger constitutional protections were necessary to promote accountability and prevent future presidents from extending their tenure beyond 10 years.

“We will bring in a constitution within 18 months. Within those 18 months, the constitution would cement the two-term limit of 10 years. Five years, five years,” he said.

Mr. Darboe explained that the proposed constitution would limit presidents to two five-year terms, with safeguards designed to prevent future administrations from amending the provision to prolong their stay in office.

He argued that limiting presidential tenure was essential to preventing the excessive concentration of political power and ensuring that leaders remained accountable to the public both during and after their time in office.

“No president will be able to serve more than 10 years because that is the only way you can ensure accountability,” he said.

Beyond constitutional amendments, Mr. Darboe emphasized the need to transform the country’s political culture, particularly the perception of presidential authority.

He maintained that political power ultimately belongs to the Gambian people and that elected leaders must recognize their positions as temporary mandates rather than personal entitlements.

According to him, the proposed constitutional reforms would establish stronger institutional safeguards to prevent future presidents from manipulating constitutional provisions to extend their tenure.

Mr. Darboe also made a personal commitment to serve only one five-year term if elected president under the Team Gambia Coalition 2026 banner.

He said he would not seek re-election in 2031, arguing that a single term would allow his administration to implement critical reforms while creating a more level political playing field for subsequent elections.

The presidential hopeful maintained that his decision not to pursue a second term reflected his commitment to democratic renewal and a political system in which leadership transitions are governed by strong institutions rather than the ambitions of individual officeholders.

His proposals place constitutional reform and presidential term limits at the center of his coalition’s governance agenda ahead of the December 5 presidential election.