By Fatou Dahaba
The National Assembly of The Gambia was forced to adjourn its sitting on Tuesday due to a chronic lack of quorum, prompting sharp criticism from attending lawmakers who accused their absent colleagues of undermining the legislature and disrespecting the people who elected them.
Only a fraction of the 58-member House was present when the session was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., falling far short of the required three-quarters majority. Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta, visibly frustrated by what he described as a recurring problem, opted to adjourn proceedings until Wednesday, December 3, at 10 a.m., rather than grant another short postponement.
“Things have fallen apart,” Speaker Jatta declared. “I will no longer adjourn for 30 minutes or an hour. If there is no quorum, I will adjourn to the next scheduled sitting day so we all understand the gravity of the situation.”
Lawmakers who were present did not mince words. Hon. Sainey Jawara (Lower Saloum) urged the Speaker to “take the bull by the horns” and stop shielding absent members. “Members have vehicles and privileges yet choose to stay at home. They must respect this House instead of shifting blame onto you,” he said.
Hon. Samba Jallow (Dankunku) traced the problem back to the start of the Fifth Legislature, noting that the Speaker often waits over an hour in his office for members to appear. “If we don’t respect our own rules, who will respect us?” he asked, insisting that the 10 a.m. start time stipulated in the Standing Orders must be strictly enforced.
Hon. Alagie Mbowe (Upper Saloum) acknowledged that the rules allow the Speaker discretion to delay proceedings by up to one hour, but argued that repeated leniency has only encouraged absenteeism.
The quorum crisis has become a stubborn embarrassment for the National Assembly, delaying critical legislative business and drawing public criticism. Tuesday’s adjournment marks yet another episode in a pattern that lawmakers warn is eroding public trust in the institution.
As the House reconvenes on Wednesday, all eyes will be on whether members finally heed their colleagues’ calls to show up—or whether the cycle of empty benches will continue.
