By: Binta Jaiteh
The Former National Assembly member for Kiang Central Bakary Camara has sharply reacted to the rejection of the 2024 Draft Constitution describing it as a historic milestone in the history of the sixth legislature.
Camara an opposition member who served in the parliament from 2017 to 2022 strongly criticized the 2024 Draft saying it was not consultative and it failed to address the plight of poor Gambians.
Hon. Camara made the above remarks during an interview granted to the Voice Newspaper on Wednesday. According to him, one of the most important campaign promises of the coalition government was reforms.
“Following their successful victory, efforts were made to have a new constitution by setting up a Constitutional Review Commission that brought us 2020 Draft Constitution after wider consultations both home and abroad. Unfortunately the same government campaigned against this crucial document that captured the aspirations of the tax payers,” he said.
“The 2020 Draft Constitution was rejected because it was against the government. Government prefer party politics than national interest,” he added.
Camara observed that the most surprising part was that most of the lawmakers voted against the 2020 Draft Constitution and now they were busy campaigning and advocating for the minority caucus to support them in defending the so-called bill. “How can that be possible?” he asked.
He said that such MPs thought that Gambians were sleeping, adding that enough was enough. According to him, partisan politics dominated the parliament that has contributed negatively to the development of the noble institution.
Hon. Camara continued to state that constitutional building was a process and a lot of tax payers’ money was spent. He decried that huge amount of money was wasted on the 2020 Draft and that of the 2024 Draft. These funds, he said could have been better spent on upgrading the health system, education, and other important sectors.
Camara applauded the lawmakers who voted against the 2024 draft constitution urging the government and the minister of justice to present the 2024 draft constitution in its original form.