E.U AMBASADOR:
3-YEARS ‘JOTNA’ HAS RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE
But Argument Only on
“Moral Obligation” Front
By Ebrima Papa Colley (Gambiano)
European Union ambassador to the Gambia H.E Attila Lajos, in an exclusive interview with forGambia on Wednesday stated that Gambia’s civil society resistance group, dubbed “Three-Years Jotna” has a constitutional right to demonstrate and express difference with the Barrow administration’s stay beyond three years, come this December.
The ambassador immediately put, however, that such qualification could be hinged on obtaining the necessary procedure in acquiring permission for demonstration.
He quickly added that such a right is a constitutional guarantee. But it is a cause, in the diplomat’s words, that could, perhaps, be only argued from “a moral obligation” point of view.
“Let me go now to the other aspect of your question regarding the Jotna—three years Jotna. And I think this, again, where I have to start with the same statement I started with before, constitutionally, which from all perspectives means, one hand, that everybody in this country should be allowed to freely express his or her opinion.”
“So, if groups of society want to go on demonstration for whatever cause, they should be allowed to do so because this is part and parcel of a democratic functioning of any state in the world,” the ambassador noted.
Mr. Lajos continued, “Therefore, three years Jotna, what they’re doing, provided they follow the necessary procedure to obtaining permission for demonstration is fine and they should be let doing so. On the other hand, what they’re claiming for is not really a legal constitutional issue. And please don’t misunderstand me.”
“I’m not judging on what they’re doing. I’m in fact very pleased to see that there is a vibrant democratic life in the country. It’s healthy and I’m happy for that. But what they’re demanding is not a legal aspect—not a legal or constitutional issue because the constitution says what the constitution says which is the president who is elected can stay in power for five years.”
The ambassador believes the movement is pursuing its cause on a moral ground. “What they are claiming is in fact a moral obligation. The then common candidate of the coalition made a verbal political promise. And that was to stay three years in power.”
“No doubt about the fact that every politician should be held responsible for whatever promise they make—no question about it. But this is not a constitutional question in the sense that in the very time this promise was made, and ever since then, Gambia is having the same constitution because this current constitution has never been suspended,” he mentioned.
On what to say to, for example, a poor Gambian fisherman with trust issues thanks to the current administration’s broad daylight wreck of a seminal campaign promise of three years, Mr. Lajos, interjected, “Sorry for interrupting. Erm, I think that every voter is supposed to make a conclusion how they consider the individual, the party they voted for at the last election—whether they’re fulfilling their promises or not.”
“And once they have this assessment, they’ll make a conclusion and then they’ll place their next vote accordingly in the next election and that’s what voters will do and that’s what I’ll advise the fisherman if he’s disappointed and he’ll obviously vote for somebody else. If he’s happy, he’ll vote for the same person again. Is his choice.” He pointed out.
The ambassador furthered, “What I’m saying, and I’m not defending any politician in this country—whatever promises. What I’m saying is that constitutionally, legally speaking, the president—the constitution provided his stay in office for five years.”
“The president certainly has got the right to step down if he so wishes. In which case, and this is important for the fisherman voter—in which case there will not be a new election. Remember that. In that case, if the president isn’t capable of performing his duties, that’s why you have the institution of the vice president who’d step in until the next election in a total of five years.”
“So, what I’m saying, even if the current president would offer his resignation or step down, there would not be a new election right away. But the election would be held as foreseen by the constitution in five years’ time since the last presidential election. So, what I’m saying is that, again, this is a moral question.” He was quick to caution against misconstruing his assertions. “I’m not saying that they’re wrong or right demanding that [Barrow stepping down after three years].”
This is an exclusive interview. We will publish its entirety or vignettes in subsequent publications.
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Let’s Adama Barrow honours his word’s after 3years expired let him step down better for him and the entire Gambia at large.
yes he most step down
hens he they campaign for three years transition
an his goforment an her people
don’t think that the Gambia has a construction constitution b4 campaigning for three years transition
let our stack holder’s don’t selfish
thanks EU an au
Adama Barrow has to step down in December
He should serve for constitutional sanction which is 5 years period, who ever I to be contest for a election let’s the person who until constitution mandate expired period