By: Fatou Krubally
Members of the National Assembly have expressed admiration for Senegal’s practice of allowing local languages to be used during parliamentary deliberations.
Gambian MPs described the approach as a powerful tool for strengthening citizen participation and public engagement in democratic processes.
The observation is contained in the report of the Select Committee on Regional Government, Lands, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Ombudsman and Religious Affairs following a study tour to the Republic of Senegal in October 2025.
The delegation, led by the committee’s chairperson Hon. Sulayman Jammeh, visited the Senegalese National Assembly as part of efforts to exchange knowledge and learn from governance systems in the neighbouring country.
During their engagements with various parliamentary committees, Gambian lawmakers note that Senegal permits the use of local languages in parliamentary debates alongside official language, a practice they said promotes inclusivity and allows more citizens to connect with the work of Parliament.
Members of the delegation observed that the use of widely spoken local language helps make parliamentary discussions more accessible to ordinary citizens who may not fully understand official languages used in formal proceedings.
According to the report, the practice contributes to stronger civic participation by enabling citizens to better follow debates and understand decisions taken by lawmakers.
The committee notes that communication between Parliament and citizens plays a crucial role in building trust in democratic institutions, and the use of local languages helps bridge the gap between legislators and the communities they represent.
Lawmakers also held meetings with committees responsible for culture, communication, decentralisation, labour and human rights, where discussions focused on legislative oversight, citizen engagement and governance reforms.
During the engagements, Senegalese lawmakers explained how communication strategies, including the use of local languages, help broaden public participation in parliamentary processes.
Members of the Gambian delegation said the approach reflects a broader effort within Senegal to strengthen transparency and ensure that governance structures remain connected to the people.
Beyond the language policy, the study tour also provided the Gambian delegation with insights into Senegal’s decentralisation framework, infrastructure planning systems and parliamentary oversight mechanisms.
The committee concluded that the knowledge gained from the visit would contribute to strengthening legislative oversight and improving governance practices within The Gambia while reinforcing the longstanding cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
