Favours Accommodation of Traditional, Common Law

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, Alhagie Dr. Yahya Jammeh, has recommended the integration of traditional and common law into the core of The Gambia’s legal system, noting that this would enhance better understanding by Gambians of their legal rights as well as the rule of law.

“After 42 years of our independence, we should try and make sure that English law becomes history just as colonialism has become history,” he posited.

President Jammeh made this call on Sunday during the opening of the 2007/2008 legal year at the Law Courts Building in Banjul.

“I think people understand better when you take them before a court of law the laws of which they understand,” he opined, adding: “this is very important to speed up the dispensation of justice.

“I hereby task the Attorney General’s chambers, the Judicial Service Commission, Chief Justice, National Assembly Members and the traditional chiefs to start working on these recommendations,” he declared.

The President stressed the fact that The Gambia “is a country of law, and a country of traditions,” noting: “Each and everyone of us has a role to play.”

He asserted that regardless of religions, the variety of languages, or where people may come from, the fact remains that Gambians are one nationality.

“In whatever service you may be, have this at the back of your mind that the country is more important than the individual. All of us are duty-bound to serve the country so that we bring about the socio-economic development as enshrined in Vision 2020.”

The Gambian leader apprised the members of the Bar Association that they are partners in development and assured them of his fullest support and protection.

“I will never condone a system where lawyers are intimidated because they are defending people who have fallen out with the law. My government will never intimidate members of the bar because they are defending criminals. If it has ever happened, it has never got my blessing. And if it happened in the future, make sure you report the matter to the Chief Justice and give details of the person involved. I want to assure the President of the bar that we are partners in development.

“If even Yahya Jammeh intimidates you because you are defending somebody, go to the press,” he added.

“We may defend different interests, but at the end of the day, both sides come to ensure that justice is done. As a matter of goodwill and recognition, I have honoured two senior private practitioners from the bar to show that my government is not your enemy.”

The President concluded that he wanted the best for the Gambian people, adding: “If you want the best for your people you will make sure that justice is done without intimidation, fear or favour.”