The Gambian lawmakers allied to President Adama Barrow have rejected a draft constitution bill after fierce debate over a clause that would prevent him from running for a third term. Officials in the West African state have for months discussed the new constitution, which is intended to strengthen the country after years of abuses under former dictator Yahya Jammeh. The rejection came after the diplomatic representations of European Union, Britain, United States and Germany had on Monday urged the assembly to pass the bill.

For more on what the rejection of the bill means for the country, Channel Africa’s Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Bamba Maas, former diplomat and an expert on the Gambian politics.