By Kemo Kinteh
The filling of the remaining cabinet posts is a step in the right direction and a welcome move. The ball is “rolling” as in the president’s own words.
Of concern to me, however is the post of Vice President. The dispatch did clarify Madam Fatoumata Tambajang’s selection as women’s minister. But overseeing the vice presidency is extremely risky. Take for example if the President were to die (God forbid) under any circumstances, the law presumably that prevents Madam Tambajang’s selection also mandates that the Vice President (at the time sworn in as such), to assume the presidency. If the vice-presidency is not occupied at the time, for whatever reason, the Speaker of the National Assembly is in line to the throne. In effect till April 2017, the current APRC Speaker is lawfully entitled to the presidency. This is scary!
My advice is that a person from the coalition, preferably a woman, assume the presidency post until at the time the age barrier is settled once and for all. Otherwise we COULD find ourselves – yet again – in an avoidable catastrophic situation. There are enough well suited personalities within the coalition, women for that matter, who can wonderfully carry out the functions of the vice presidency.
Ends
Well said Mr. Kinteh, things should not be taken for granted if we want to safeguard our democracy.
“Two (more) heads (together), (are) always better than one…” I have hope for a Gambia that’s future for my children & humanity at large, into posterity…
Kinteh, your point of observation is logically healthy; the President must be guided to deliberate on hindsight;(as saying…sound mind in sound body…) there’s no reason why Madam Tambajang can’t be fully appointed Vice President, when the current distorted Constitution is purified & sanitized; yes, the Vice presidency needs to be filled currently by “qualified” Gambian in safeguards of any eventualities whatsoever; NOTHING must be (left) taken to chance or for granted…
The Constitution of States are set of guidelines in democratic dispensations to attain goals for societal advancements amongst others…
One would’ve thought & indeed argue FACTUALLY except for the illegitimate inserted “age bar” tyrannically embedded purposely, no one can currently claim suitability & qualification more than Madam Tambajang; whilst the “presidential term limit” requested by Gambians were deliberately expunged tyrannically along others selfishly…?
It’s indeed beneficial to Gambia for Madam Tambajang to be appointed Vice president OR temporarily put someone in at moment until constitutional reforms as contrarily argued…
This throw us (Gambia) back to the Coalition Negotiations of a Transitional Government for ‘3 years”…??
The Constitution says a government to serve for “5 years”….???
We can’t afford to bend the rule on one & squirt in face of another; politics is for judicious dispensations of affairs of States; hence negotiations are allowed &/ permitted for harmonious censual unanimities for communal societal advancements…
It’s not for one government alone to claim credibility to be assigned exclusive responsibilities to resolve EVIL kanilai yaya KILLER DEVIL horror of past 22 years of catastrophic mayhem unleashed up Gambia; as no one government will be able to reverse within a single term or two; the reversal will & can only be progressive; built & consolidate upon…
Moreover; no government will now ever be allowed to overstay the term limits; NEVER again in Gambia; this will ensure to avoidance of tyranny & catastrophic mayhem currently divulging before our very own eyes…
If “we must play by the rules”; we can’t afford to falter in the course…
This is the Gambia all Decent people want; Gambian &/ none citizen friends…
Long live the Gambia…