The possibility of a third term for Gambian President Adama Barrow has sparked a wave of opposition, notably from Amadou Jaiteh , a lawyer, former diplomat, and founder of the political movement PROGRESS . He has issued an urgent appeal to citizens to oppose this continuation, which he considers detrimental to democracy and to the head of state himself.

🎙️ Amadou Jaiteh's Warning

A lawyer by training who resigned from his post at the Gambia's permanent mission to the UN due to a "loss of confidence" in the Barrow government's leadership, Amadou Jaiteh has since entered politics with the creation of PROGRESS. This movement, which plans to become a party for next year's presidential elections, positions itself as a staunch opponent of a third term.

In an interview with The Standard newspaper, Jaiteh described this desire for continuity as " regrettable ." He criticized the President for not having honored his initial promises, particularly his pledge to limit his first term to three years and to implement essential institutional reforms.

🛡️ Protecting Democracy through Term Limits

The founder of PROGRESS insists on a fundamental principle: the need to limit the duration of a leader's time in power to avoid abuses.

“We are asking Gambians to reject this third term. A leader who stays too long ends up exposing himself more. We must help him get out of this situation by preventing him from going in a direction that will not be in his favor. If he persists, we must punish him at the ballot box.”

In response to the argument that the current Constitution (that of 1997) does not provide for term limits, Mr. Jaiteh urges Gambians to refer to the draft Constitution of 2020. According to him, this text — the result of broad public consultation — embodies the real aspirations of the country, notably the rejection of any indefinite hold on power .

📜 The 2020 Constitutional Draft at the Heart of the Debate

For Jaiteh, legislation should reflect social values and not be a rigid legacy. He believes that the national consultations that led to the 2020 draft provided a clear institutional direction, which Adama Barrow's current desire to seek another term contradicts.

He warns against the consequences of accepting this continuity: "Letting it continue would open the door to a situation whose outcome no one knows. If he obtains a third term, who can say that it will stop there?"

🚀 The Political Alternative of PROGRESS

While some believe that no party can rival President Barrow in the 2026 presidential election, Amadou Jaiteh refutes this idea. He asserts that a credible political movement, carrying a clear and coherent message , can emerge and mobilize voters.

PROGRESS aims to be that alternative, focusing on the everyday concerns of Gambians. While cautious about potential electoral coalitions, Jaiteh emphasizes that the movement's priority is internal consolidation and the development of a solid program focused on:

1. Reducing the cost of living and promoting national self-sufficiency .
2. Agricultural diversification and youth capacity building.
3. The fight against corruption and the reform of local governance and security.
4. Reducing the concentration of presidential powers and reviving the 2020 Constitution project.

Opposition to President Barrow's third term marks the beginning of an intense period of electoral confrontation in The Gambia, which could well redefine the country's institutional future. For Mr. Jaiteh, the role of citizens is crucial: "Democracy is not built solely on laws, but on the choices of citizens. If they reject this third term, they will send a clear signal about the direction they want for their country."