Dead Draft Constitution – Goodluck Jonathan in Banjul Amidst Critical Faith of his Mediation

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has this Tuesday arrived in The Gambia for what many believe the critical round of his mediation efforts to building a Gambian national consensus around the stalled constitutional review process.

In his tweeter feed, Goodluck Jonathan said “I have just returned to Banjul to continue the consultations with Gambian stakeholders as the country makes progress with the constitutional review process. I thank the Government and the good people of the Republic of The Gambia for the warm reception each time we visit.”

As he made it late afternoon in Banjul, the Gambian presidency tweeted “Former President of Nigeria today paid a courtesy call on Barrow President as he continues consultation with various political parties on the draft Constitution. He expressed optimism that the talks will yield positive results. ”

Despite some Gambian political leaders having accepted to participate in Jonathan’s first mediation attempts, the People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) refused to give its blessings to the process.

The latest trip by Gambian political leaders in Abuja to cater for this latest round of discussion was welcomed with apprehension by many Gambians who argued that any effort to solve the impasse should be made on Gambian soil and nowhere else.

ECOWAS, IDEA, the African Union Department of Political Affairs and other global organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) but also the International Republican Institute (IRI), are keenly following Jonathan’s mediation in the Gambia