News:
May 6, 2026
As Gambia’s presidential election approaches on December 5, 2026, a heated debate over President Adama Barrow’s potential third term has drawn sharp comments from a senior ECOWAS parliamentarian. But Majority Leader Billay G. Tunkara insists the constitution has no term limit—and his Liberian colleague should be guided accordingly.
Tunkara, who also serves as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and leader of Gambia’s delegation, pushed back against recent remarks by Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and APRM.
Snowe Jr. had previously advised President Barrow against seeking a third term through “constitutional technicalities,” drawing parallels to former Senegalese President Macky Sall, who did not run again. Tunkara said those comments are stirring unnecessary agitation back home.
“Let me clear the air,” Tunkara said in an interview. “The chairman of Political Affairs seems to be speaking as if he is voicing the position of the bureau of the Community Parliament. That does not give him the latitude to speak as if his statement has been sanctioned by this Parliament.”
He added: “I am a deputy speaker with overall oversight within the parliamentary structure. People should desist from making such irresponsible statements. When speaking, he should reference himself as from Liberia, rather than trying to mislead Gambian voters.”
Tunkara also recalled past disagreements with Snowe Jr., particularly over efforts to establish a high court to investigate human rights abuses under former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.
“He refused and kicked against it,” Tunkara said. “The party that suffered most is the UDP. Snowe Jr. represents Liberia in the ECOWAS Parliament, yet he campaigned against a high court system that would have looked at crimes committed outside our jurisdiction.”
According to Tunkara, Gambia currently lacks laws to punish torture and other grave crimes, creating legal gaps the proposed court would have filled. “I do not expect someone who denied victims proper compensation to now lecture us,” he said.
Reiterating Gambia’s legal position, Tunkara stated: “Our constitution is very clear—there is no term limit. President Barrow is working to ensure we have a constitution that will move Gambia into the Third Republic.”
He warned that Snowe Jr.’s comments risk misleading opposition figures into thinking the ECOWAS Parliament backs their position. “They say Barrow must not contest. This is misleading, disappointing, and disheartening. I want to assure the public that his statement is not a true reflection of the ECOWAS Parliament, nor any resolution passed by it. He made his own statement loosely and recklessly.”
Tunkara noted that the Gambian third-term issue has never been discussed at the ECOWAS Parliament. “I know he is an opposition leader back home—and opposition figures everywhere tend to sympathize with each other. This is what they do to create chaos in countries.”
He added: “When chaos erupts, he will say, ‘Madam Speaker, we need to deploy a fact-finding mission to Gambia.’ Trying to find ways to enter a country during instability is not in the community’s best interest. As leaders, we must be measured in our words.”
Tunkara said his explanation of Gambia’s constitution—during a recent country report—was well received by other ECOWAS lawmakers. “A member from Sierra Leone’s delegation mentioned there were demonstrations in my country, but our own Minority Leader confirmed there are no demonstrations about term limits in Gambia. That is clear vindication of what I am saying.”
Speaking as Majority Leader, Tunkara concluded: “I am granting this interview to ensure Gambians understand the issue clearly and do not confuse themselves over this third-term matter.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com