The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, on Monday, 7th July 2025, moved a motion for the Second Reading of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia (Promulgation) Bill, 2024 before the National Assembly.
The First Reading of the Bill was done during the Fourth Ordinary Session of the National Assembly in the 2024 Legislative Year as part of the government’s broader commitment to advancing constitutional reform and strengthening democratic governance in The Gambia.
Hon. Jallow emphasised that “the Bill seeks to provide for the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, 2024, and to repeal the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997.” He urged National Assembly Members to rise above political divides and support the Bill for the good of the country.
“Hon. Speaker, and Hon. Members of the National Assembly, I rise before you today not merely as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, but as a Gambian who shares in the collective aspiration for a stronger, more democratic republic that serves all our people with justice and dignity,” he stated.
Reflecting on the failed 2020 attempt at constitutional reform, when the previous draft constitution was rejected by the Assembly at Second Reading, Minister Jallow acknowledged that valuable lessons had since been learned. He stressed the importance of dialogue, compromise, and constructive engagement, even amid disagreement.
“No bill that has ever been presented before this Assembly is perfect, and there likely will be none in future. This is not a flaw in our system; it is a fundamental feature of democratic lawmaking,” he asserted. “The Constitution itself acknowledges this reality by providing mechanisms for amendments and reviews.”
Hon. Jallow further highlighted that perfection should not be the standard against which progress is measured. He cited the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, which allow for multiple stages of scrutiny to facilitate refinement of legislation through deliberation and compromise.
Following the tabling of the motion, the Speaker of the National Assembly invited Honourable Members to begin debate on the objects and reasons of the Bill.
As previously reported, the Promulgation Bill requires a two-thirds majority, at least 42 affirmative votes, in order to progress to Third Reading. In 2020, a similar attempt was voted down.
The outcome of this renewed effort will determine whether The Gambia proceeds with a new constitutional framework or continues under the 1997 Constitution.
