By Lamin Sanyang
Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has presided over the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between different political parties in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Kairaba, President Barrow said the MoU signed will encourage political parties to operate in the confines of the Constitution.
“The MoU is a by-product of our common desire to create a peaceful and stable political environment underpinned by a transparent and democratic political dispensation without which the prosperity, happiness and wellbeing of our people will be compromised,” President Adama Barrow said.
President Barrow has explained that the inter-party MoU will restored dignity and respect to the Office of the President and all political parties in the country, saying it will encourage them to operate in the confines of the Constitution. He said it will also hold the government accountable and promote the rights of political parties, especially for the opposition to operate freely. He added that the cornerstone of the MoU is to encourage dialogue and cooperation between political parties and foster compliance with code of conduct that restricts offensive languages, violence, intimidation and undue use of powers for wrong political purpose.
“I wish to assure you that I will do everything within my powers to support this committee whose objective is to ensure that we live in a society where dialogue and cooperation between political parties,” he pointed out.
President Barrow said his government welcomes the inter-party committee and urged that they meet periodically to settle differences and promote development on electoral matters.
Alieu Momar Njai, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission IEC has commended the move made by the different political parties.
Meanwhile, seven registered political parties have signed the documents, APRC, NRP, GDC, UDP and PDOIS, PPP and GPDP. The documents were signed by party leaders. Fabakary Tombong Jatta signed as the leader of the APRC.
