By: Ousman Saidykhan
The Gambia’s National Assembly has invited concerned citizens to a meeting at Parliament to discuss the protest demands submitted in a petition last Monday. The protesters, mainly young people, are calling for the withdrawal of the Judicial Officers Bill and the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions Bill. They argue that these bills serve the interests of lawmakers and judicial officers rather than the general public, especially during a time of economic hardship for many Gambians.
The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, July 15, at 2 p.m., at the National Assembly.
“After due consideration of the content of the said petition by the leadership of all sides of the National Assembly, I’m directed to invite you and a representative of not more than seven (7) to a meeting with the said leadership of the National Assembly for a dialogue and discussion on the subject matter,” said a letter, signed by Momodou A. Ceesay, Clerk of National Assembly.
Concerned Citizens is a pressure group that demands the dismissal of the Judicial Officers’ (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Bill and the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions Bill from the Parliament.
A diverse group of people from across the country gathered to protest before the Parliament against two controversial bills. They held placards with various messages and chanted slogans like “Bilen Sacha” (stop stealing) and “no to the bills.”
They submitted their petition, detailing eight (8) demands, to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta.
“We will honor their invitation because that is what we seek. We want to sit with them, talk with them. If we can agree on something that will favor The Gambians – not them – but The Gambians, then we are willing to sit and have a dialogue with them.
“But our stance is, the Bills have to be rejected, and we are going to stand firm on it,” said Momodou Lamin Manjang, the president of Concerned Citizens.
Manjang said they have already had their executive meeting and have selected the seven people who will represent the group at the Parliament.
“They are the ones who called us. We will go there and listen to them,” he told this medium.
Concerned Citizens’ primary demand is the rejection of the two bills. They also seek fair compensation for all public servants, equitable allocation of national resources, and the introduction of a new pay scale.
The Judicial Officers’ (Remuneration and Other Entitlements) Bill and the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions Bill have indeed progressed to the Second Reading stage in Parliament. The Judicial Officers’ Bill aims to establish a structured legal framework for the compensation and benefits of judicial officers, addressing the lack of specific legislation for their remuneration. On the other hand, the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions Bill seeks to repeal and replace the 1997 Act, focusing on issues related to gratuities for National Assembly members.
Concerned Citizens have said in their petition that they will organize national-wide protests that will continue until their voices are heard.