By MUHAMMED S. BAH
National Assembly Members (NAMs) on Thursday, 29 December, 2016 during the adjournment debate call for a peaceful resolution of the impending political impasse following the rejection by outgoing President Yahya Jammeh of the result of the 1 December 2016 presidential election which gave victory to President-Elect Mr. Adama Barrow, the Independent candidate supported by the coalition of opposition parties.
The adjournment debate was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, National Assembly Member (NAM) for Serekunda East, who calls for a peaceful way of handling the Gambia’s internal matters rather than allowing foreign forces to intervene.
“As Parliamentary ….. we should ensure that our beloved country and its people live in peace and prosperity. We should all cherish what we have,” he remarked.
He further took the opportunity to thank all parliamentarians for their work over the past years. He said this might be his last address as a parliamentarian and further thanked his electorate whom, he said, elected him to represent them for the past two decades.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Ousman Bah, NAM for Sabach Sanjal, also reiterated the maintenance of peace in resolving the current situation.
He further used the opportunity to call on the health authorities to help improve the health system in his constituency. He noted that one of the wards within his constituency lack health facilities and call for a consideration on this issue.
Hon. Abdoulie Saine, NAM for Banjul Central, also call for peace and said Gambians should ensure that the rule of law prevails in addressing the current situation.
Hon. Babou Gaye Sonko, Nominated Member, in his contribution, said “If you think peace is expensive try instability.”
Hon. Lamin Saine, Nominated Member, cited some of the countries that experienced foreign military intervention in resolving their internal problems. He said such interventions ended up in a lot of bloodshed.
“If you look at what happened in Liberia with foreign intervention, Syria and even in the Gambia during the 1981 failed attempted coup when foreign forces came, a lot of people lost their lives and properties,” he said.
He further said that Gambians should solve their problems as one big family.
Hon. Buba Bojang, NAM for Foni Kansala, stressed the need for national dialogue in solving the problem.
“Peace should be given a chance in solving any of our problems,” he remarked.
Hon. Cherno Omar Jallow, for his part, said peace will always prevail in the Gambia, because Gambia is a peaceful country.
Other members of the National Assembly also reiterated similar concerns.
The debate was adjourned by law makers’ sine die.
