My Reaction to the Nominated Member of Parliament, Hon. Kebba Lang Fofana’s Statement on Diaspora Voting!
By :Ndey Jobarteh
“So what I am telling the opposition is that you cannot mislead the public; no matter how hard you try, you cannot. We never said no to diaspora voting; in fact, we voted for diaspora voting. We passed Clause 13, which embodies the right to vote. Clause 14 is about the registration process, and what we intend to do is to make sure that diaspora is first demarcated into constituencies so that after voting, they can be represented. But to the diaspora, the opposition does not have you at heart.” – Hon. Kebba Lang Fofana, reported by KERR FATOU
We hear you, but we are no longer buying into the game of political deflection. The issue is not the opposition at this point, we have seen and understood their stance.
The real issue lies with the ruling NPP, its coalition partners, the President and his government, and some so-called Independent MPs who have shown us, through actions, not words, that the diaspora is not a priority.
Yes, Clause 13 affirms the right to vote in theory. But Clause 14 was the practical step to make that right a reality. Stripping Clause 14 means removing the one clause that would have held the IEC accountable to register Gambians living abroad. Without it, the law is toothless, and we’re back to empty promises.
You can’t celebrate passing Clause 13 while eliminating the mechanism that would have made it meaningful. That’s not progress, it’s politics as usual.
Yet still, your own Attorney General stated, and I quote:
“They don’t necessarily have to return home to enable them to exercise these political and civil rights. If you don’t demarcate the diaspora into National Assembly constituencies, the only option you have is to go find them there and register them under their home constituencies. That is to say, a Gambian from Tumana, Wuli East, Kombo East or Kombo South and living in London or in Berlin can be registered under that home constituency.”
– Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, reported_ Standard Newspaper The Gambia, 26.03.2025
So, the issue of demarcation is no longer relevant. That excuse does not hold water.
Let’s not sugarcoat it, this was a betrayal. And it’s a clear sign of who stands with us, and who doesn’t. The diaspora is no longer fooled by divide and rule tactics or clever parliamentary spin. We are watching. We are organized. And we will continue to speak truth to power.
The diaspora is not asking for a favor. We are demanding our constitutional right,one that your government and its allies have systematically delayed, diluted, and now denied in practice.
Don’t talk to us about intent, show us political will, legal commitment, and actual results.
