The Gambian President, Adama Barrow, has said that democracy flourishes only when the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary operate independently, yet collectively, in the service of the nation.
He made this statement on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at the opening of the Tripartite Conference on the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles.
The theme of the conference, “Upholding the Rule of Law and Democratic Balance: A Tripartite Engagement on the Latimer House Principles in The Gambia,” captures the essence of the country’s democratic journey.
The Clerk of the Assembly, Khalipha MM Mbye, noted that organising a conference of this nature—the first tripartite gathering of its kind in the nation’s history—has been no small undertaking. Over recent months, he explained, the Technical Working Group, drawn from the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, worked tirelessly to bring the event to fruition.
“In our specific Gambian context, this conference is a critical exercise in democratic consolidation. Since 2017, we have been rebuilding our institutions,” he said. He added that the next step is ensuring that “our institutional interactions are governed by the principles of transparency, accountability, and the absolute independence of each organ of the state.”
He emphasised that the conference provides a platform to discuss how the three arms can better collaborate on national development without compromising their respective mandates. “It is about building an architecture of harmony and collectiveness towards the realisation of the wishes and aspirations of the Gambian people,” he said.
Speaker Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta described the event as a defining milestone in the democratic journey of the nation. He disclosed that, for the first time in the country’s constitutional history, the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary have come together in a structured national dialogue dedicated to strengthening their relationship.
He stressed that the conference is not merely another official gathering, but “a powerful affirmation of our collective commitment to constitutionalism, democratic governance, and the rule of law.”
He explained that the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles remain one of the most authoritative governance frameworks within the Commonwealth family. They remind us that while the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary exercise distinct constitutional mandates, “they are united by a common responsibility to safeguard democracy, uphold the rule of law, and advance the welfare of the people.”
“The separation of powers must therefore never be misconstrued as separation of purpose,” he said. “Institutional independence is not intended to foster isolation or confrontation; rather, it exists to ensure that each organ performs its constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour, while respecting the legitimate constitutional role of the others.”
He concluded that democracy flourishes when independence is complemented by dialogue, accountability, and cooperation.
In his keynote address, President Barrow reiterated that the theme captures the essence of “our democratic journey.” He emphasised that the strength of the nation lies not in the power of one branch of government, but in the balance among all three—the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
The presence of the three arms of government in The Gambia, alongside partners from the Commonwealth, he said, underscores the significance of unity in diversity and collaboration in safeguarding democracy.
According to him, The Gambia’s transition to democracy has been marked by the strong determination of its people to reclaim their rights and restore the integrity of principled governance.
“In The Gambia, we recognise that the resilience of our democracy depends on the effective and independent, but harmonious, functioning of all three branches of government,” he said.
The tripartite engagement, he outlined, provides a unique opportunity to reflect on progress, confront challenges, and “reaffirm our dedication to building a society where the rule of law is the cornerstone of peace, stability, and development.”
He noted that The Gambia’s democratic journey has been one of resilience, renewal, and reaffirmation of collective values. Emerging from decades of authoritarian rule, the nation embraced change in 2017, choosing the path of constitutionalism, accountability, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
“This transition was not merely political; it was a moral commitment to restore the dignity of our institutions and the trust of our people,” he said.
In this regard, he added, the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles have served as a guiding light. “They remind us that democracy flourishes only when the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary operate independently, yet collectively, in the service of the nation.”
Since the return to democratic governance, The Gambia has undertaken reforms to strengthen judicial independence, empower parliamentary oversight, and ensure that the Executive remains accountable to the people. These efforts, he said, reflect the nation’s determination to embed the Latimer House Principles into the very fabric of its governance system.
“We comprehend very clearly that democracy is a continuous process. Naturally, challenges remain, but through dialogue, cooperation, and respect for the rule of law, we are building a Gambia where institutions are resilient, rights are protected, and justice is upheld,” President Barrow concluded.
