Deputies at the National Assembly, last Tuesday unanimously passed the Public Order Amendment Bill 2009.

This Bill, which seeks to bring the level of the time and terms of imprisonment to present day realities, makes it an offence, among other things, to organise, train, equip, manage or promote any quasi-military organisation. It also makes it an offence to possess offensive weapons at public meetings and processions, as well as to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Tabling the bill before members of the National Assembly, the secretary of state for the Interior, Ousman Sonko, said it seeks to delete section 3 of the Public Order Act, which, according to him, prohibits wearing of uniforms in public, signifying association with a political party. "This provision places an undue restriction on the freedom of Gambian citizens to express their political support within the bounds of civility. Therefore the deletion of this provision on the Public Order Act is long overdue in a democratic country like The Gambia," SoS Sonko noted.

SoS Sonko told deputies that penalties had been prescribed for the offences, but he noted that these penalties are no longer realistic. "People have become more politically aware and the stakes are high. For many people the end justifies the means, and they will go to any length - legal or illegal - to get what they want, especially when there is no deterrent in terms of punishment," he noted.

He said that it has therefore become necessary to review these penalties for the offences created in the Act. The interior secretary of state reminded law makers that the Public Order Act 1961 came into force on 31st October 1961. He added that it makes provision for the preservation of public order on occasions of public procession and the control of the use in public of tools for amplifying sound.

Reacting to the Bill, the majority leader and NAM for Serrekunda East, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, described it as a non-controversial one, noting that the move demonstrates the Gambia’s strides towards consolidating democracy. Putting serious deterrents to avoid people possessing offensive weapons in public meetings and gatherings, he said, ensure consolidation of The Gambia’s democracy, as well peace and stability. The member for Wuli West, Sedia Jatta, described the bill as long overdue, but was quick to state that fines stipulated in the bill are too heavy. The Minority leader and NAM for Kiang West, Honourable Momodou LK Sanneh, also described the bill as long overdue.