Gambia Lawmakers Reject Draft Constitution Limiting Presidential Terms

Gambian lawmakers have rejected a draft constitution intended to replace the 1997 charter that enabled former dictator Yahya Jammeh to consolidate power after a 1994 coup. The draft, which aimed to impose presidential term limits of two five-year terms, failed to secure the required three-quarters majority, with opposition leaders criticizing the process for excluding key stakeholders such as political parties and civil society organizations. A controversial loophole in the draft would have allowed President Adama Barrow, in power since 2017, to reset his term count and potentially serve two additional terms beyond 2027, sparking criticism that the proposal favored Barrow’s extended rule. The draft also required a national referendum to become law, but with only 35 of 56 lawmakers supporting it, the bill fell short of the 44 votes needed. Barrow had previously extended his presidency after a 2021 re-election, despite initial promises to serve only three years. Lawmakers are now calling for broader consultation to develop a more inclusive constitutional reform.