A coalition of Gambians, including youth activists like Yusuf Tunkara, National Coordinator of the National People’s Party Students’ Wing, has been formed to support President Adama Barrow’s potential bid for a third term. The group asserts that President Barrow possesses a constitutional right to seek re-election beyond his current mandate. This initiative emerges amidst ongoing discussions in The Gambia regarding the presidential term limits.
Challenging Opposition Movements
The Gambian youth coalition condemned the "No To Third Term Movement," which includes figures from the United Democratic Party, particularly Alagie Mamadi Kurang. The coalition stated, "We will let the courts, the constitution, and the voters decide this matter." It added that critics remain free to challenge President Barrow’s record and campaign against him, but "attempts to preempt the electoral process are unacceptable." The coalition further emphasized that the eligibility to contest the presidency must be determined by The Gambia’s constitutional and legal framework. "The 1997 Constitution contains no explicit term-limit provision," the coalition noted, adding that while draft proposals for term limits have been published, "none were adopted into law."
The coalition also strongly criticized remarks made by the "No To Third Term Movement" that suggested the eligibility debate could be reduced to questions of "dying or living." Condemning such statements, the coalition declared, "Language that reduces political debate to threats or bloodshed is intolerable and must be condemned." It also urged citizens and political actors to advocate constitutional reform through established legal channels, warning that attempts to circumvent them "undermine our democracy."
Constitutional Basis for Candidacy
A Gambian youth coalition is mobilising to prevent what it describes as unlawful interference with President Adama Barrow’s potential bid for a third term, aiming to protect the democratic process. The coalition stated that the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia contains no explicit term-limit provision. While drafts proposing term limits, including in 2024, have been published, none were adopted into law.
"We will let the courts, the constitution, and the voters decide this matter," the coalition said, adding that critics remain free to challenge President Barrow’s record, campaign against him, and pursue lawful reform to introduce term limits. However, the group maintains that "attempts to preempt the electoral process are unacceptable." The coalition further emphasized that "the eligibility to contest the presidency must be determined by The Gambia’s constitutional and legal framework," noting, "it is inconsistent and irresponsible for UDP affiliates now to assert term limits where none exist in the current constitution." The coalition also declared, "The people’s voice is clear: they support the President and will peacefully resist any effort to subvert their democratic will."
Supporters and Democratic Principles
The Gambian youth coalition rejected rhetoric or actions that threaten constitutional order or incite violence. "Language that reduces political debate to threats or bloodshed is intolerable and must be condemned," the coalition stated, adding, "Our democracy depends on peaceful dialogue, lawful processes, and respect for the rule of law — not intimidation." The group asserted that selective attempts to block a candidate would undermine the rule of law and the principle that every eligible citizen has an equal right to compete for office. "We will let the courts, the constitution, and the voters decide this matter," the coalition declared. It further emphasized that critics remain free to challenge President Barrow’s record and campaign against him, but "attempts to preempt the electoral process are unacceptable." The coalition states its supporters stand ready to defend the constitution and the President’s right to contest, claiming hundreds of thousands of Gambians support the “Third Term for Barrow” movement.
Call for Peaceful Resolution
The Gambian youth coalition called for all political actors to advocate for constitutional reform through established legal channels. It warned that attempts to circumvent these processes would undermine the country's democracy. The coalition emphasized that the nation's democracy relies on peaceful dialogue, lawful processes, and respect for the rule of law, not intimidation.
