By Landing Colley
National Assembly members on Friday unanimously rejected President Adama Barrow handpick appointment of Babucarr A Suwareh as Gambia’s new ombudsman.
Babucarr Suwareh’s appointment by President Adama Barrow was recently tabled before lawmakers for confirmation and approval. The lawmakers however held back the 65-year-old’s appointment, and referred it the public appointments committee for scrutiny.
The national assembly member has rejected the approval of Bakery A. Suwareh as an ombudsman by the office of the president on Friday 27th December 2019, at the national assembly in Banjul.
Friday’s move has been categorized as first its kind in history by members of the National Assembly to reject appointment of an ombudsman.
In his intervention, Hon. Bakary Njie national assembly member for Bundunka Kunda lauded public appointments committee for thoroughly looking into the credentials of Mr Suwareh, adding: “the office of an ombudsman is very critical as part of the committee which the ombudsman Pervez is under and the work of an ombudsman are sensitive as this is where Gambian who feels unfairly treated will depend on.”
Hon. Ousman Sillah national assembly for Banjul north said: “the office of an ombudsman is critical adding that it is an office where people who cannot go to court urged there complain as they provide justice.”
Hon. Sikouba Marong national assembly member for Latrikunda Sabiji said in making appointment in public office “we should consider people who are competent to mouth the position as a nation to build and in building the nation its start from us.”
He said: “after our committee scrutinizer this resolution I stand to support their resolution that reject the appointment of Mr. Suwareh.”
However, vice President Dr Isatou Touray expressed disappointment saying “we should not be judgmental, we should look at the issue at hand, look at your remit in terms of what needs to be done as a committee and deliberate on that.”