Gov’t Complies with Supreme Court’s Ruling Despite ‘Disappointment’

The attorney general’s office on behalf of the government of The Gambia says on Wednesday that it will comply with the Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday in the case of Ya Kumba Jaiteh vs Clerk of the National Assembly and others with immediate effect despite its disappointment.

Ya Kumba was challenging President Barrow’s decision that saw her being replaced by Foday Gassama as a nominated member of the national assembly in 2019. She eventually won the case on Tuesday and the ruling returned her to the assembly and her replacement was warned to vacate and cease identifying himself as nominated member of the national assembly.

“The Government wishes to further assure the general public that notwithstanding its disappointment, it will fully comply with the Supreme Court’s Decision with immediate effect,” a statement released on Wednesday from Gambia’s Justice Ministry stated.

“This is the position expected of a government that is committed to respect for the rule of law and democracy. It demonstrates that no matter our individual opinions or divergent views especially on matters of national interest, we are all subject to the law and that no person or groups of persons
are above the law.”

It indicated that decisions like these were unthinkable only three years ago and it goes to reinforce the extent to which the independence of our judiciary has come in this short period of time under this administration.

“The Government therefore calls upon everyone in this country to be law abiding and to make use of democratic processes, including the courts, to address their grievances,” it concluded.