By: Alf Soninke
The arrest and detention of peaceful protesters at the gates of PURA on Friday provides yet more evidence of the repressive nature of the present Gambian state.
It’s proof that not much has changed since 2017 in police behaviour under a government which was supposed to give us a New Gambia!
Indeed, Gambians have yearned for and, in 2016, voted for a new government, which was expected to hit the ground running from day one.
Among other things, it was expected to repeal the obnoxious colonial-era Public Order Act, which the police use and which has caused much avoidable pain, suffering, and death in this country!
Right from day one, the new government had convinced Gambians that it was capable of ushering in a new dispensation.
Knowing the trauma Gambians went through in their recent history, this was a government that would announce at every opportunity that it is a committed respecter of human rights.
Since 2017, millions have been spent on an unending security sector reform, as part of implementing the ongoing larger Transitional Justice program and its projects.
Public funds and donor partners’ aid continue to be invested to improve the nature of the Gambian police and state, for instance.
Yet the police High Command refuses to change policing culture, and still insists on behaving like police everywhere.
The Gambia police force will continue to show its true colors as long as the leadership maintains this mindset.
Of course, we are familiar from history and progressive literature with the true nature of the state everywhere – it is a tool for the repression and suppression of the masses.
Thus, a person (individual(s) or entity) who protests against perceived bad governance will be confronted, as happened in this country in April 2010 and 2014.
Therefore, in Gambia, we must not tire of going to the High Court to challenge the state’s continuing suppression of peaceful assembly.
We need a final and definitive pronouncement on whether the police have the authority to prohibit peaceful protest, with particular reference to the 22 August peaceful gathering at the gates of PURA!
Yes, as is being done everywhere, this matter must be brought to the courts.
We hereby appeal to human rights lawyers and civil society organizations championing good governance to come together and file a suit in the courts.
We need the courts in Gambia to come to the aid of the people against a repressive state apparatus.
It will be another opportunity for the Gambian judiciary to assert its independence, long granted by the constitution!
Of course, we believe and we know things can change substantively on the human rights front, but only when this country has a new and progressive leadership at the helm.
And this is why 2026 is another crucial date in Gambia’s history – we have another chance to change the trajectory of this country for the better – and we call on all to make the best use of this opportunity to vote for meaningful change.
