By Fatou Sillah
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipality and co-founder of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), has stated that a UMC-led government would introduce strict two-term presidential limits within the first three months of assuming office, if elected.
Speaking in an interview with Kerr Fatou, Bensouda emphasized the importance of early constitutional reforms to prevent the concentration of power and reduce the risk of leaders overstaying in office. He argued that such measures are most effective when implemented at the outset of a presidency.
“If you take the presidency, within the first three months, you should put safeguards in place to prevent your future self from making the wrong decisions once you become comfortable in office. That is the best time to introduce term limits,” he said.
Bensouda clarified that the proposed reform would be forward-looking and would not apply retroactively to previous administrations. Instead, the term limits would take effect from the date a president is sworn into office.
“If I become president, within the first two months, I will introduce a two-term limit to restrict the presidency. There will be no retroactive clause; it will begin from the day of inauguration,” he stated.
He further noted that a clearly defined tenure would encourage leaders to focus on delivering results within a limited timeframe.
“If I am inaugurated in 2027, by 2036 at the latest, I will be done. That kind of law helps because it ensures that you know you have a maximum of 10 years to implement reforms and deliver development for the country,” Bensouda added.
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