Page 39 - UN Gambia 2020 CCA stakeholder consultations report
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Disappointment was expressed by several participants from the Government and civil society on the rejection of the draft
constitution.
Discussions emerged on whether it was possible to salvage the Draft Constitution in its current form, to which the Solicitor General
confirmed was to a large percent, possible. He noted that 90% of the provisions were non-contentious during the National Assembly
debates, and thus, it remains that political consensus must be sought on a small portion of the Draft Constitution to guarantee its passing
at the National Assembly upon re-tabling.
Overall, the Solicitor General noted that the Ministry of Justice is considering all options on passing the Draft Constitution, which
may include initiating a fresh process (re-drafting and re-gazetting of new bill). He emphasized that this process was equally political as
it were legal, and that work was needed to reach political consensus on contentious issues. The Solicitor General noted that civil society
had a role to play in the consensus building process.
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