Says Chairperson Lumbu
By: Arret Jatta
The Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), Remy NgoyLumbu, has hinted that the commission is passionate about issues around Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
“We are concerned about the ongoing parliamentary debate about the repeal of the FGM law in The Gambia. The issue of FGM is taken seriously at the ACHPR that is why we are coming back to this because it is an area of concern,” Mr. Lumbu said at the 79th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR.
On the various conflicts that Africa grapples with, the ACHPR chair emphasized that guns must be silent, citing the mass abductions in Nigeria by armed men and the devastating flood and cholera outbreak in Kenya.
He, however, congratulated the African countries that have held free and fair elections.
The Vice Chairperson of ACHPR, Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, said the commission was not sitting idly by as far as FGM is concerned.
“As far back as last year when the issue was raised, an appeal was sent to the government of The Gambia and a press statement was issued. This year also when the bill was tabled and announced, a second letter of appeal was sent and a second press statement was issued on the subject to raise awareness and to also call on the government of The Gambia,” she pointed out.
Commissioner Sallah-Njie explained that the parliamentary process over the FGM law, like any other parliamentary process, has to continue but added that ACHPR was encouraged by the fact that the government of The Gambia took a position on the matter.
She disclosed that the commission was planning to dialogue with stakeholders on FGM, stating that the dialogue would target women, religious leaders, and even circumcisers since FGM is an entrenched culture that has to be dealt with amicably.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. MamadouTangara, bemoaned what, he described, as the ongoing unhealthy debates on FGM.
“But you have to understand that some people have their hidden agenda but I’m sure and certain that the government is committed not to allow us to go back to the past after achieving such great progress in fighting against FGM,” he stated.
