By Ebrima Mbaye
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) arrested five individuals, including a senior member of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), during what authorities described as an unlawful assembly at the National Audit Office (NAO) in Kanifing. The arrests, which occurred on Monday, have sparked widespread condemnation from civil society and heightened tensions over governance and institutional independence in the country.
The detained individuals include Omar Saibo Camara, GALA’s Public Relations Officer; Kemo Fatty and Alieu Bah, both senior members of GALA; Mamadou Camara of Jambanjelly; and Bakary Tamba, a camera operator from Gambia Talent Promotion, who was briefly detained but later released after screening.
The GPF stated that the arrests followed a gathering at the NAO, where Camara allegedly attempted to conduct a press interview, used “disparaging language,” and incited others to demand the release of previously detained colleagues. The five suspects remain in custody, with formal statements taken and charges filed.
“Unlawful gatherings and incitement will not be tolerated,” the GPF said in a statement, emphasizing its commitment to “maintaining peace, order, and the rule of law.” However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding Camara’s arrest. While police claim he was apprehended at the NAO, witnesses and media outlets, including Kerr Fatou, report that he was detained outside Kairaba Police Station while speaking to journalist Lamin Fatty about his colleagues’ detention.
The arrests come amid public outcry over the forced removal of Auditor General Modou Ceesay, who recently declined an appointment as Minister of Trade. Ceesay’s removal has fueled debates about the independence of Gambia’s institutions, with critics accusing the government of undermining democratic principles.
Prominent human rights activist Madi Jobarteh condemned the police action as “illegal and an affront to our hard-won democracy.” In a fiery statement, Jobarteh argued that being present at the NAO or granting media interviews is not a crime. “The police must stop intimidating, harassing, and assaulting citizens for merely exercising their fundamental rights,” he said, accusing authorities of weaponizing law enforcement to suppress dissent.
GALA echoed these sentiments, calling the arrests a “sobering reminder of the alarming regression” in The Gambia since the 2016 political transition. The group described Ceesay’s removal as “a grave assault on institutional integrity” and condemned alleged “tear-gassing, unlawful arrests, and police brutality” against its members. “The people of The Gambia will not be silent in the face of such injustice,” GALA declared, urging citizens to protest peacefully until Ceesay is reinstated and the detained are released unconditionally.
The incident has intensified friction between civil society and the state, with growing calls for the immediate release of the arrested individuals. As public discontent mounts, the government faces increasing pressure to address concerns over institutional autonomy and respect for democratic rights. The situation remains fluid, with activists vowing to continue their advocacy for justice and accountability in The Gambia.
