Mr. Adem Abebe an official of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), has said that with the availability of a very resourceful personals at the disposal of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) its success will be achieved.
The Constitutional Review Commission is mandated by an Act of the National Assembly to review and draft a new constitution as well as draft a report to this effect.
Mr. Abebe a trained lawyer cum political scientist made this revelation in an executive interview with The Voice on the sidelines of the training of the CRC staff.
“I think the commission is moving very fast, they have already assembled the team they needed and as well planned their public consultation. From my opinions it’s a very resourceful group of people and I am sure they will be able to achieve what they have set out to achieve within the time line they have provided for themselves,” said Abebe talks of his confidence as the commission sets on motion.
International IDEA is a non-governmental organisation that comprises of democratic countries around the world and provides support to democratic transitions in countries such as The Gambia.
Abebe observed that constitutional review is necessary for The Gambia as the country is on transition from dictatorship to democracy, noting that even though there are lots of amendments that occurred in the 1997 constitution, the commission should not limit itself to such but should engage in many consultations across the country if the commission is to succeed.
“For my counting there have been about fifty constitutional amendments during the past regime and I understand those amendments will be the sum focus of the commission. It does not have to limit itself to these amendments, that is why public consultations will be very important,” he noted.
According to him, the issue that the commission issued covers many other comprehensive areas of concerns, adding that certainly there are number of issues to be considered and is for Gambian people to decide the direction they have to take.
Author: Kebba Ansu Manneh
