Foroyaa put this question to Halifa Sallah, and he responded as follows:
When a commander-in-chief leads troops to battles twice and fails one must quickly take stock and address the situation. It is President Barrow, leading a coalition, that made a promise to deliver constitutional reform to the Gambian nation. It is almost a decade and the only constitutional reform that was quickly passed is the eradication of the 65-year-old age limit for the presidency.
The other constitutional reforms will be later examined by Foroyaa to sum up the constitutional reforms which have taken place since his assent to power. The executive has a duty to immediately address the nation to indicate the way forward for constitutional reform. There is no need to waste time in inviting outsiders to initiate a process that could commence internally and then promoted by outsiders to build consensus among the stakeholders.
The executive must be proactive in telling the nation what its new agenda is for constitutional reform. An executive without an immediate agenda for constitutional reform that is placed before the people for consideration is an executive that has abdicated its duty to lead. This will constitute a dereliction of duty. The way forward for constitutional reform must be pointed out now and not later. The nation is all ears to hear the executive of the republic. Will the executive speak out with urgency on a realistic and acceptable constitutional reform agenda? Time will tell.
