Just as the news that the National Assembly and the Members of Parliament in The Gambia have voted down the draft constitution. This because one cause or one article would state that a President can only have two terms or 10 years in office. That was clearly not feasible for the current Head of State Adama Barrow.
Barrow, a man who was elected in 2017 and the man who took over power after dictator Yahya Jammeh who are living in exile. That happen after the ECOWAS and Senegal intervened. Barrow was even sworn-in Senegal and transported in by armed forces of Senegal to Gambia. That was a sign of international support of his candidacy and voice for change.
Alas, now he seems to following the footsteps of previous leaders in Gambia. Where they are willing to cling onto power. Until their demise is sealed and the arms have turned against them. Instead of leaving a memory of peace and of development. Instead, remember the looting, the corruption and the impunity in office. This from a President who has tried to clean up bureaucracy, have a commission into the previous administration and getting back stolen assets to the Republic.
Still, that man doesn’t want to be any different. There was supposed to only be an transition period onto January 2020. A period and a term, which Barrow already have served. He intends to hold elections in 2021. Meaning, that he gets a full term. While doing so, he intends to make that one “invalid” or “not count”.
That is just the late Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza did as well. While he did the deal after serving two terms. Deeming the first term not counting, as it was an “election” from Parliament and not from the public. The Constitutional Court made a verdict, which accepted this argument and that was the legal justification for Nkurunziza to have his third term in 2015.
Alas, Barrow is trying something similar. Using the transitional period and claiming it as non-starter. It wasn’t “official”. Even after he won and the coalition gave him power. This will be an insult to the contested elections of late 2016 and the intervention to get him in office in early 2017.
Still, this shows the greed of Barrow to be in power. As he intends to “erase” the first years in power. Therefore, ensure longevity and secure a prolonged stay in office. While, this man shouldn’t do that and become the same as his predecessor. Being a man who promised first three years, than a second term and then a third term. Because, if he does so… he is just lingering in office like Jammeh did. Maybe, not as brutal and despicable as his reign, but still a man who didn’t leave in peace.
Also, worrying that he doesn’t want to count the years he has already served. That proves that he has no real intention of leaving. At least, if he intends to make the current term as “invalid” or “not count”.
Even, if the man said this in the start of his reign:
“Gambia has changed forever. The people are fully conscious that they can put government in office as well as remove it. No government will ever be able to entrench itself against the will of the Gambian people. This is the lesson we must draw from the change that has been brought by the people” (Adama Barrow – ‘My Vision for Gambia’ 20.02.2017).
He should know perfectly well, that someone can overstay their welcome and that its the people who decide if your serving them or not. Still, he intends to stay now. That is why he has dismissed the Constitutional Draft and gotten the MPs to vote it down. This is a sign of what to come.
Barrow intends to following the program of the ones overstaying in office. He got no plan to leave or say “bye”. This man will find all the means to stay and never leave. If he was holding his words. He would have left already and secured a successor. Then he would have written himself as a legend of a sort. Someone who had the character to be in the highest office and step-down. That would be epic, but not a possibility.
Barrow have disappointed here. Proving himself to not be that different and let power corrupt himself. He is just another man high on power and wants another fix. Peace.
