Today, January 19 marks the 8th anniversary of the swearing-in of Pres. Adama Barrow at the Gambian embassy in Dakar in 2017. This historic ceremony had to take place outside the borders of the Gambia simply because of the recalcitrance of Tyrant Yaya Jammeh, who refused to hand over power after losing the December 1, 2016, presidential elections. In his swearing-in speech in Dakar Barrow, he noted, “This is a day no Gambian will ever forget in a lifetime.”
On this day, Pres. Barrow promised Gambians a new era of democratic governance in which adherence to the rule of law and democratic principles and the pursuit of the nation’s best interests would guide him and his government. A few hours after Barrow was sworn in, ECOMIG forces invaded the territory of the Gambia to forcefully remove Yaya Jammeh, thereby imposing the will of Gambians to prevail. Barrow’s swearing-in as President was the first time Gambians had changed political power through elections.
Eight years today, EFSCRJ notes with grave concern the trajectory that Barrow and his Government have since taken. This trajectory is characterized by effectively reneging on his promises made in his 2016 Manifesto, the 2016 Coalition MoU, and as President since then. We are concerned that not only has he failed to effectively conduct and conclude comprehensive constitutional, legal, and institutional reforms, but Barrow is slowly but steadily reversing the country back to the path of Dictatorship, political deception, and patronage.
By still maintaining the 1997 Constitution after stifling the 2020 Draft Constitution, and by allying with the APRC and further bringing back key Dictatorship Enablers into the Cabinet and the National Assembly as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Barrow has effectively stalled the democratic transformation that the country yearned for in 2017. As a result of the abandonment of his promises and the aspirations of the Gambian people, there is an increased incidence of corruption and abuse of power within his government, leading to further denial or violations of citizens’ civil, political, economic, and social rights. For this reason, poverty, high cost of living, poor social services, unemployment, limited opportunities, hopelessness, and deprivation continue to spread and deepen across the Gambian society.
Therefore, on this day, EFSCRJ calls on Barrow to demonstrate effective and accountable leadership by reversing the deplorable path on which the country is sliding. For this reason, we demand the following from President Adama Barrow:
1. To uphold his oath of office to ensure public institutions and officials’ full and uncompromising adherence to the rule of law.
2. To immediately combat the uncontrolled corruption in his Government by enforcing the graft laws and prosecuting perpetrators.
3. To ensure the adequate performance of public institutions and officials to ensure efficient delivery of affordable social services.
4. To end the weaponization of laws and institutions against fundamental rights and freedoms.
5. To reverse the rampant mismanagement of public resources on frivolous purchases of vehicles, furniture, ceremonies, travel, and entertainment by public institutions and officials.
6. To put an immediate stop to encroachments on forests, wetlands, and all our natural habitats and end the illegal allocations of state lands to public officials, private individuals, and businesses.
7. To stop and reverse his current trajectory of divisive politics and threats against political opponents, critics, journalists, and activists but to seek and secure this country’s unity, peace, and stability.
In summary, EFSCRJ demands that President Barrow demonstrate the utmost political will and commitment to transparency and accountability to ensure the full protection and promotion of the national interest.
We call on all citizens, CSOs, political parties, communities, and stakeholders to exercise their full rights and duties in demanding accountable leadership and good governance in the Gambia.
Above all, we demand that President Barrow undertake a legitimate national process in writing a new constitution for the country and refrain from seeking a third term in office in 2026.
