Members of Gambia Against Looted Assets (GALA) on Saturday strongly condemned the arrest of some of their members during the group’s one-year anniversary commemoration at the Youth Monument in Westfield, describing the action as an attack on transparency, accountability and democratic freedoms.
Speaking at a press conference, GALA member Kemo Fatty said that at least 15 members of the movement were arrested on Friday despite “having permission from the Kanifing Municipal Council” to use the venue for the event.
Among those named by the group as arrested were Hakeem Touray, Kaddy Jadama, Omar Camara, Abdoulie T. Bah, Kemenseng Sanneh, Omar Sanyang, Ebrahima Kaira, Alieu Sarr, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Alieu Bah, Pato Jallow, Maimuna Bah, Mohammed Sillah, Ebrima Janha and Lamin Ceesay.
Fatty accused the police of unfairly targeting the movement because of its advocacy work on accountability and governance issues.
He claimed the detainees had committed no offence and argued that the Youth Monument had hosted several public events in the past without police intervention.
“What we saw yesterday reminds us of where we have come from as a nation and as a people,” Fatty said, while alleging that some detainees were denied family visits, and female detainees lacked access to sanitary materials.
He further criticised the police leadership, alleging what he described as intimidation and disregard for citizens’ rights. Fatty warned that GALA members and supporters would continue gathering at police stations and courts until the detainees were released.
Another GALA member, Lamin Sey, also criticised the arrests, saying the organisation was being singled out despite what he described as its role in promoting justice and accountability in the country.
According to Sey, public events including religious gatherings and entertainment activities have taken place at the Youth Monument without permit restrictions being enforced.
“We cannot understand why GALA is now the target,” he said.
Sey called on civil society organisations, opposition parties and human rights bodies to speak out against the arrests, while also urging the public to show solidarity with the detainees.
The group further linked the arrests to broader concerns about civic space and democratic freedoms in the country, particularly as The Gambia hosts the ongoing African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights sessions.
