By Ndey Sowe
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) concluded a three-day mission in The Gambia on Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, engaging journalists and civil society organizations (CSOs) to advocate for the respect for constitutional term limits across West Africa. The initiative seeks to unify stakeholders in resisting attempts by incumbents to manipulate constitutions to extend their tenure in power.
WADEMOS’s advocacy mission, which ran from the 21st to the 23rd of October, aimed to foster a coalition of defenders who would champion the standardization of term limits and sustainable democratic reforms, not only in The Gambia but throughout the West African region.
“The Gambia’s political journey in recent years offers hope for democratic reform not only within its borders but also across West Africa,” WADEMOS representatives stated this during the mission it held recently, underscoring the country’s pivotal role in shaping democratic norms in the region.
The network’s multifaceted approach involves advocacy, civil society mobilization, policy dialogue, election monitoring, and engagement with both regional and international stakeholders. Their goal is to strengthen civil society networks in West Africa, creating a regional movement that demands accountability and resists anti-democratic actions. Upholding term limits is seen as a critical measure of democratic health in the region.
WADEMOS has been working to counter the growing trend of constitutional term limit evasion, which has plagued countries such as Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. In these nations, leaders have faced accusations of undermining democracy by altering constitutions to extend their rule. Through ongoing engagements with local and international organizations, WADEMOS is pushing for respect for constitutional term limits and urging regional bodies, including ECOWAS, to reinforce these democratic principles.
Paul Osei-Kuffour, Network Coordinator for WADEMOS, expressed his gratitude to participants for their involvement and dedication, stating, “We are at the end of our mission in The Gambia, and I’m happy to see the level of commitment shown here today.”
He highlighted the urgency of WADEMOS’s work, noting, “WADEMOS is a solidarity network comprising over 35 civil society organizations. It came into being after observing the deterioration and decline of democracy in West Africa over the past decade, particularly in 2020, when there was a resurgence of unconstitutional changes in government.”
Osei-Kuffour emphasized the need to break the cycle of authoritarianism that is gaining ground in the region, adding, “We need to identify common efforts to help push back against this rising authoritarianism.”
Sait Matty Jaw, Executive Director of the Center for Research and Policy Development (CRPD), stressed the importance of regional solidarity in promoting peace and stability. He remarked, “This meeting is timely because these conversations are necessary now more than ever.”
Jaw cited recent Afrobarometer data, which revealed that nearly 9 out of 10 Gambians support the introduction of term limits in the country. “The issue of term limits is becoming increasingly crucial,” he said, “and today’s discussion is vital for shaping the path forward.”
The event underscored the urgent need for a collective effort across civil society and media to uphold democratic standards in West Africa, ensuring that constitutional term limits are respected as a fundamental aspect of governance. The meeting served as a call to action for regional stakeholders to remain vigilant against any attempts to erode democratic gains.
