The authority of ECOWAS Heads of State has called on political stakeholders in the country to find a common understanding over the draft constitution.
The draft constitution is in distress following its failure at the National Assembly last year when loyalists of President Barrow MPs voted against it. The MPs insist the charter was badly drafted.
ECOWAS leaders met on Saturday for their 58th ordinary session and a statement said the authority of the leaders “takes note of the political divergences in the country regarding the revision of the Constitution as the country prepares for presidential and legislative elections at the end of 2021”.
“It commends H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for agreeing to facilitate dialogue among national political stakeholders on the contentious issues surrounding the draft Constitution, which is due to be put to a referendum in June 2021 before the presidential elections in December 2021.
“The Authority welcomes the progress made and calls on all political stakeholders in The Gambia to build consensus on the draft Constitution. It calls on the relevant authorities to maintain dialogue for the adoption of the Constitution and the compliance with the electoral calendar,” the leaders said in their joint statement.