President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed his support for presidential term limits, while pledging to deliver a new constitution that would enshrine them if his government secures the required parliamentary majority.
Speaking to journalists and members of the public, President Barrow called for the preservation of peace and stability in The Gambia, describing the next phase of his administration as a continuation of his development agenda.
“The next five years of my government will be a continuation of our development agenda,” Barrow said. He outlined plans to expand road and electricity networks, improve connectivity, and increase access to essential social services, including healthcare and education.
The President also highlighted agriculture as a key sector, promising efforts to modernise farming and improve market access to strengthen food security. He further pledged to invest in youth empowerment through skills development and opportunities for self-employment.
“We will build the capacity of our young people to create self-employment opportunities and participate in the growth of the economy,” he stated.
Barrow also stressed the importance of strengthening state institutions through sound policies, effective laws, and respect for the rule of law within a democratic framework.
Concluding his remarks, the President urged Gambians and residents alike to remain law-abiding and protect national unity.
“We have one Gambia, and we are one nation,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session, a journalist asked the President whether a third term, if secured, would be his last in office and whether he would commit to introducing constitutional term limits before leaving office.
In response, Barrow reiterated his long-standing support for term limits but noted that some democratic nations operate without them.
“I have always made my position very clear that I believe in term limits,” he said. “However, that does not mean term limits are the only or best system of governance. There are democratic countries, such as England and Germany, that do not have term limits.”
The President emphasized that the decision on who leads the country ultimately rests with the electorate.
“It is the Gambian people who elect a president. They decide the fate of a president. Therefore, it is up to the Gambian people to decide whether I should continue to serve as president or not,” he said.
Barrow nevertheless pledged to champion constitutional reform should his government obtain the legislative strength required to pass a new constitution.
“If I have a majority in the National Assembly that meets the threshold required to pass a constitution, I will give the Gambian people a new constitution, and there will be term limits in that constitution,” he said.
The remarks come amid ongoing public debate over constitutional reform and the future structure of presidential term limits in The Gambia.
