Burgeoning Violence in the Gambia

The situation in The Gambia remains guarded, beguiled in recent months by increased violent protest occasioned by growing uncertainties in the political environment. Its noteworthy that the gains of the presidential election in 2016, ensured through the supports of the ECOWAS, AU and the larger international community as it ushered in a new democratic era in the country was initially recording considerable and positive developments in terms of policies and institutional reforms before advent of current setbacks.

The Gambia have recorded several landmark democratic achievements since 2016 return to democracy; formation of a department for National Human Rights Commission, drafting and launch of a veritable National Security Policy in June 2019, empaneling a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, and setting up of a Constitutional Review Commission. These efforts have been praised by many stakeholders as significant steps towards consolidating democracy in the country. While these progresses reflect the Government’s commitment towards promotion of enduring peace and stability in the country, current actions clearly are set to reverse all noted improvements. 

Increased divergence of opinions between President Adama Barrow and its former coalition partners over a three-year transitional tenure agreement supposedly reached to secure the alliance for the presidential election in 2016. The core mandate of the agreement forbade Adama Barrow from contesting the Presidential elections after the three years tenure. The apparent wish of the president to follow the constitutional provision and stay for 5 years before elections and have deepened the already existing rifts and heighted the recurrent violent protests experienced in the country. The Government has equally witnessed increasing numbers of official resignation from the governing coalition. As violent conflicts dotted the landscape, the appeal to violence in solving political arguments become more rife. With the shadow of former leader Yahya Jammeh still looming in the background, the political elites needs no prompting to return to old ways.

The International Community need to look in and help in reining in the ambitious crowd in Banjul. The Gambia Peace initiative is too young to work through a disruption at this stage. To maintain momentum of initial democratisation growth momentum; Relations between the Government and the governing council need strengthening, the government should empanel a stakeholders meeting to discuss way forward and eliminate all speculations. Proper communication of intentions and plans by the state to the public should be maintained at all time. Its important for all stakeholders to work towards ensuring sustainable peace which in turn would ensure stability needed to drive The Gambia reform processes and drive towards socio-economic and Political stability.