Africa-Press – Gambia. The Never Again Network has strongly opposed President Adama Barrow’s reported intention to seek a third term in office, while also rejecting proposed media regulation laws currently under discussion.
In a statement issued on the public record, the group said it is “totally and unequivocally” against any move by the President to extend his stay in office beyond the current constitutional term, warning that such a decision could undermine national peace, security and long-term stability.
The Network argued that a third-term bid would set a precedent for prolonged rule, which it said could lead to future attempts to remain in power beyond acceptable democratic limits.
It further accused the President of departing from the spirit of the 2016 opposition coalition agreement, which brought him to power, stating that the arrangement was based on a transitional leadership period meant to culminate in fresh elections among coalition partners.
While acknowledging that the 1997 Constitution permits presidential terms within legal limits, the group maintained that democratic governance should also be guided by political trust, ethical commitments and democratic norms.
The statement also recalled President Barrow’s past public support for constitutional term limits, questioning what it described as a contradiction between earlier commitments and current political considerations.
Comparing the situation to The Gambia’s past under former President Yahya Jammeh, the Network warned against what it termed “sit-tight leadership,” saying the country must avoid repeating historical patterns of prolonged rule that it believes undermined democratic development.
The group added that it does not question the President’s leadership capacity, but insisted that no individual should consider themselves indispensable to national governance.
“Barrow has done relatively well, but that is no justification to cling to power,” the statement said, calling instead for democratic renewal and leadership transition.
In a separate position, the Never Again Network also rejected proposed media regulation measures, describing them as an attempt to restrict freedom of expression.
It argued that journalists should only be held accountable under existing laws and warned that additional regulatory controls could undermine press freedom and public discourse.
The group called on authorities to reconsider the proposed reforms and urged the international community to pay attention to developments affecting media freedom in The Gambia.
It concluded with a call for the preservation of democratic space and free expression, stating: “No to needless press and public censorship.”
