Daily Observer </publishers.html?passed_name=Daily%20Observer&passed_location=Banjul> (Banjul) November 21, 2000 Pa Kalifa Sanyang Banjul The head of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group(CMAG) delegation to the country, Alhaji Sule Lamido, told newsmen yesterday that his delegation received assurances from President Yahya Jammeh that the 1997 Constitution is undergoing some amendments. Alhaji Sule whose delegation held a closed-door meeting with President Jammeh at State House yesterday, said the constitutional amendment is aimed at repealing some laws that are inconsistent with the Constitution. The Nigerian foreign affairs minister said President Jammeh had quoted a section of the Constitution which says "any law which is inconsistent with the constitution will remain null and void to the level of that inconsistency", describing it as a "very encouraging" remark by the President. Asked whether specific reference was made to decree 89 which has been a subject of widespread controversy, the Nigerian foreign minister said, "The President talked about a process of constitutional amendment based on a certain constitutional provision and if my conclusions from what he had said are right, that particular decree is obviously on its way out." He said President Jammeh had indicated to the delegation that all obnoxious and exclusive decrees that were passed during the transition period would be brought in line with the Constitution according to the aspirations of the Gambian people. Alhaji Sule explained that his delegation's mission is to assist The Gambia in effecting internal reconciliation so that the entire country can forge ahead as a family. During their 3-day assessment mission, the Commonwealth delegation will hold talks with secretaries of state, leaders of political parties, Non Governmental Organisations and the media. At their last meeting in September this year, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) agreed on an early dispatch of a mission to The Gambia at the invitation of President Jammeh. The group also expressed the desire to see The Gambia government foster a more inclusive political environment, and in particular, repeal decree 89 which proscribed certain political parties and banned certain individuals from partisan politics. The group also expressed concern at other restrictions imposed on political parties and the media. The delegation included Hon Tan Sri Dato'Musa Bin Hitam, a special envoy of the Malaysian president, and some Commonwealth Secretariat staff. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------