By Omar Bah
The Ecowas Commission president Jean Claude Kassi Brou has disclosed the regional bloc’s plans to stand by Gambians in ensuring a new constitution is realised.
“It is a very important reform project. We were informed about the recent evolution in the National Assembly but also steps that have been taken by the authorities to really make sure that this process is ongoing. Ecowas of course is very kind in supporting the authorities because a new constitution that is really supported by the majority of Gambians will be a very important basis to support social, political and human development. But we can only stand-by the Gambian people and the government to continue to work together to reach out to the maximum,” Claude told journalists at State House.
The commission’s president, who is in the country on an official visit, met President Adama Barrow at the State House yesterday.
The Barrow administration pledged to oversee reforms among with a new constitution pinned as its top priority but the voting down of the draft constitution by mainly NAMs loyal to the president in September raised serious concerns on whether the government is committed to its reforms.
But barely a month after being accused of orchestrating the defeat of the draft constitution at the National Assembly, Barrow’s cabinet asked the Minister of Justice to set up a working group to seek consensus on the draft as the government begins plans to resurrect the document.
The Ecowas president said: “We have also discussed the impact of Covid-19 on the country’s economy and we are also pleased with all the measures the government has taken to help the country recover economically from Covid-19. We also discussed the many important reforms that are ongoing particularly the reform on the constitution. We also discussed the TRRC’s work – it is a very important and complex process but Ecowas is fully behind the authorities on whatever can be done to ensure that this process continue, we will work with the authorities to ensure it is done.”
Ecomig
“We are pleased to hear from the authorities that they are pleased with Ecomig that the force has done a very good job. As you know, the Ecomig is here to maintain peace and support in the security reform.”
He said the extension of the forces’ mandate has also shown some positive signs. “But the number one priority is the peace and stability of the Gambia – it is important for the Gambians and important to Ecowas because we are facing many challenges in terms of security,” he said.
On Ecomig’s funding, Claude argued: “I can tell you for sure the resources that have been used to support the Ecomig here in The Gambia are the same resources we used to support troops in Guinea Bissau before it was closed last September. It is coming from the contribution of member states of Ecowas. That should be made very clear. Of course, we have other partners such as the EU who supported us to fund the forces in The Gambia.”
