National Assembly Approves 45 Days of State of Public Emergency across Gambia

The National Assembly of The Gambia has approved the extension of State of Public Emergency across the country to 45 days to allow the executive to put in regulations as measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The deputies have rejected the initial proposed extension period of 90 days as indicated in the motion tabled by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Aboubacarr Tambadou on Thursday.

But the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters Friday morning told the session that it had concluded its deliberation on Thursday and recommended that the 90 days be reduced to 45.

It then took the assembly eight hours [from 10 am to almost midnight] of heated-debate on the proposal on Friday. The Speaker of the House, Mariam Denton then put it to vote where the majority agreed to limit it to 45 days.

Members who spoke against the motion said that the State’s argument that 90 days is needed for them to better organize and prepare against Coronavirus was not convincing. Read the debate of the members.

By this approval, the period of State of Public Emergency has been extended across the country. It means businesses are restricted somehow as well as the general movement of people.

However, it doesn’t mean the country has been locked down.