The Gambian National Assembly Refuses to Ratify US Maritime Drug Trafficking Agreement

Gambias rubberstamp lawmakers sent the bill for amendment citing the reasons that the agreement has already been in force before they are asked to ratify it. The majority leader, Fabakary TombongJatta, on Wednesday June 27, 2013, during the second sitting of the national assembly this legislative year, led the refusal which was seconded by Lamin Jammeh, National Assembly member for Illiasa and even the minority leader agreed. It is believed by commentators that this refusal was staged and supported by Yaya Jammeh, the iron fist ruler of The Gambia who has been accused by independent media and commentators of being complicit in drug trafficking. Another reason given for the tearing of the agreement was national sovereignity,as the agreement was only enforceable in the Gambian waters, stated the majority leader. 

It should be recalled that Class 1 drugs worth over $1bn in street value were confiscated by Gambia Police in June 2010 with the help of UK's Serious Crime Unit. The region has been targetted by South African drup cartels because of poverty and corrupt government officers and bad governance. 

The maritime agreement relating to the the control of Illicit Transnational Maritime Activity, was first agreed between the the governments in 2011 on 12 October, with the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tangara and US embassador, Pamela White. 

The bill was introduced by the the Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Francis Liti Mboge, who explained to the house the importance of such lateral agreements citing reasons such as the the ability to detect, control illegal activities at sea, including illicit fishing, drug trafficking and piracy, as well as fostering close ties between the two countries.