By Kebba AF Touray
During the March 2025 Adjournment Debate in the National Assembly, Suwaibou Touray, the Member of the National Assembly (NAM) for Wuli East, delivered a passionate and pointed address to his colleagues. His speech underscored several key issues facing the country and called for greater urgency and transparency in the ongoing democratic reforms.
Touray began by reminding the assembly of the government’s self-proclaimed position as a transitional administration, one that was entrusted with steering the country from the shackles of dictatorship to a thriving democracy. He highlighted the government’s commitment to implementing a broad package of reforms—encompassing security, constitutional, legal, administrative, institutional, and electoral changes—necessary to build a truly democratic system.
However, he expressed frustration at what he perceived as a contradiction between the government’s declared priorities and the actions of certain members of the assembly. According to Touray, the very lawmakers who hold a majority in the House and are supposed to champion these reforms are the ones opposing them. This, he argued, was “ironical” and reflected poorly on the administration’s commitment to its reform agenda.
Touray referenced the failure of the 2020 Draft Promulgation Bill, which, despite being tabled by the government, was rejected by members aligned with the same administration. The bill failed to pass its Second Reading after falling short of the required 75% threshold, despite a majority vote in favor. He expressed disappointment that, despite this setback, the 2024 Promulgation Bill was also facing delays, with the government attributing the slow progress to ongoing negotiations. While Touray acknowledged the complexity of the process, he cautioned that the time was quickly running out. If the reform process drags on into 2026, he warned, the political polarization within the country could deepen, making it even harder to achieve the required voter participation and consensus needed for a successful referendum.
In his speech, Touray underscored that significant financial resources were being poured into these reform efforts, and it was vital that the assembly take its responsibility seriously. He implored his fellow lawmakers to embrace a more proactive and positive approach to the reform agenda, emphasizing that their work was not for personal gain but to advance the country’s democracy.
Turning to the issue of government policies, Touray weighed in on the controversial ‘Operation Clear the Roads’ initiative, which had sparked protests from female vendors who were left without a designated space to sell their goods. While acknowledging the necessity of clearing the roads, Touray proposed a more constructive solution: a government-led initiative called “Operation Build the Markets.” He argued that providing women with proper market spaces would not only clear the streets but also support the livelihoods of the vendors. He assured the assembly that the House would back such an initiative if it were proposed, urging an open-minded approach to solving such problems, rather than relying on “draconian methods.”
On the Elections Bill, Touray spoke candidly about the debates surrounding the issue of attestation. While some members expressed frustration over the matter, Touray affirmed that the Committee’s decision to exclude chiefs from providing attestation was a rational one, given that chiefs could not vouch for all residents within their districts. He also addressed the ongoing debate about diaspora voting, emphasizing the importance of a smooth transition to more modern and efficient voting systems. According to Touray, the paper ballot system, which had been demonstrated to some participants during a sensitization program, was simpler and more modern than the outdated marble system. He drew comparisons to other democratic countries, such as the United States, where multiple voting methods coexist. He called for flexibility and openness to technological advances, particularly in the context of diaspora voting, as long as the system remained free and fair.
Turning his attention to education, Touray raised a pressing concern about the lack of schools in Sare Geda, a village in his constituency. The village, which is located over 4 kilometers from the nearest schools, suffers from the difficulties faced by children who are forced to travel long distances to access education. Touray pointed out the inherent dangers in such long journeys, including the risk of sexual violence, and reminded the assembly of the government’s obligation to ensure that every child has access to education within a reasonable distance. Citing Section 30 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory basic education, Touray argued that the continued lack of a school in Sare Geda was a violation of this fundamental right. He highlighted that after 60 years of independence, no child should be deprived of the opportunity to attend school due to geographical barriers.
Touray concluded by calling for a more inclusive and equitable approach to education and development, urging the government to prioritize isolated communities like Sare Geda, which continue to be neglected. He stressed that any government that truly values its citizens must ensure equal access to education and opportunity for all.
Through his remarks, Hon. Suwaibou Touray highlighted several crucial issues that require urgent attention, from the reform process to the needs of vulnerable communities. His speech was a call to action for his colleagues in the National Assembly to act with greater urgency, integrity, and commitment to the democratic and developmental goals of the country.
