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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jun 2007 : 18:47:39
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Foroyaa Editorial
STRANGE RATIFICATION OF BI LATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN GAMBIA AND VENEZUELA
SOS FOREIGN AFFAIRS SHOULD EXPLAIN!!
During the last session of the National Assembly, a document written in Spanish, was introduced by the Speaker of the National Assembly as a Memorandum of Understanding between Gambia and Venezuela. Sidia Jatta, the member for Wuli West questioned the content of the document since there was no English version. The speaker acknowledged that there was no English version but proceeded to put the question for ratification and the rest of the National Assembly members gave their support.
The Constitution of the Republic states clearly in section 101 that a Bill or motion may be introduced in the National Assembly by a member of cabinet or by a member of the National assembly.
According to Standing Order 29, the Speaker shall not propose a motion to the assembly unless it is moved and seconded. Needless to say, Standing Order 31 makes it mandatory that "when a motion has been moved and seconded in the Assembly, the Speaker shall propose the question to the Assembly, in the same terms as the motion and debate may then take place upon that question and may continue so long as any member wishes to speak who is entitled to do so."
Such debates can only be relevant if documents are given to members to study before the motions to adopt them are introduced. The majority and minority leaders of the National Assembly should ensure that the Speaker does not depart from the standard rules or procedures of parliament. Our major concern, however, is the absence of the English version of the Memorandum of Understanding.
The standard procedure in signing international agreements is to have the documents written in the official languages of the signatories.
Are we being told that when the Gambia government representatives were signing the document they were not given an English version?
The SoS for Foreign Affairs should explain what gave rise to the existence of the Spanish version of the memorandum and the absence of an English version.
Bilateral agreements should be jointly prepared and ratified in the languages of the countries involved. Any failure to do this does not manifest the sovereign equality of states.
We also hope that the MOU concerned will be translated and introduced in the National Assembly as required by the Constitution and the Standing Orders of parliament.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 72/2007, 22-24 June, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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