It is becoming clearer that the passing of the draft constitution has a much steeper path than we would like to believe. Most pundits, political observers are beginning to recognize the difficulty of passing one of the most important agenda items that some Gambians paid the ultimate price with their life. Recently, I wrote a piece to remind President Barrow of the importance of supporting and campaigning for the draft because it is his legacy, not to mention one of the most fundamental changes that would create the new Gambia.
I am of the belief that it is indeed a winning strategy for him, but somehow his supporters see it differently. Seeing the position of his cabinet having problems with some issues in the draft, hearing a position taken by a cabinet member who is very much adamant to campaign and votes NO to the draft, and the latest pronouncement from Siaka Jatta, an important political adviser of President Barrow, it is becoming clearer that the Barrow Government is gearing to campaign against the Draft. With a seventy-five percent threshold for the draft to pass in a referendum, knowing the position of the APRC to vote against it, and the final clarion call by the supporters of the Govt to campaign against it, the chance for the passing of the draft is looking almost impossible.
Unless of course, we pull the only arrow in our quiver to stop them. A collective effort among all parties and not a partisan approach can be the best strategy to isolate the President and his supporters and make it a fight for the soul of the Gambia.
As we get ready for the General elections in 2021, I have seen some proposals, lamenting the need for a coalition of parties just like 2016 to defeat and remove President Barrow. I can see why people would like to revisit the playbook of 2016, but for someone who has spent years advocating for a coalition of parties as to the only viable option for the removal of Jammeh; This would not work this time and will only lead us to a cul – de – sac at a dead end. But outside of a hail Mary pass, the Gambian people can be galvanized by our commitment to bury the 1997 constitution, and demand from our leaders to collectively campaign and mobilize the support needed for the passing of the Draft.
To get a good chance at passing the draft in the upcoming referendum, all the political parties and leaders will have to put on hold the partisan approach and work together and convince the Gambian people that now is the time to take a stand for what is indeed in the interest of the country. The parties do not necessarily have to form a formal coalition but should be very clear to the voters that they are working together against reactionary forces that are only interested in taking us back to the past twenty-two years of hell. Having the leadership of CA, UDP, PDOIS, PPP, GFA, GMC, GDC, and newly formed parties, take a collective stand and aggressively campaign for the passing of the draft can give it the chance it deserves.
The threshold of its passing is no doubt high; therefore, harmonizing and mobilizing the opposition parties to strategically take this approach and less of the partisan strategy would no doubt isolate the reactionary forces who are only driven by self and party at the expense of what is in the interest of the Gambian people.
I am sure because of the bitter pill from the 2016 coalition effort that has left some sour taste in our mouths among the parties should not be in the way of launching an effort for the sake of the passing of this important agenda item. There is no doubt that the Diaspora can play a facilitating role in working together and convince our party leaders to look into the possibility of working with other parties in a collective effort during the referendum; this is one spear in our quiver that can give life to the draft constitution that is right now in the intensive care unit. I can hear folks saying, each party can campaign for the Yes vote and it would amount to the same thing, but I beg to differ because the current Govt would love to see the referendum play out as some partisan battle which would only confuse the average voter. Parties and their leadership working together, strategize together and take their message together, would no doubt be much more impactful.
After we get the referendum pass, we can all go back to our parties and set the stage for 2021. GDF, STGDP, and all other groups in the bygone era that struggled to save our country in the Diaspora, the fight for the new Gambia cannot be achieved until we get the draft constitution pass in the upcoming referendum. What are we going to do about it?
By Musa Jeng, Atlanta, GA
