The Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) has issued a defiant press statement hailing the “revolutionary courage” of young protesters who took to the streets in Westfield and Brufut over the past two days, framing the demonstrations as a bold expression of class struggle between a repressive ruling elite and the suffering masses.
In the strongly worded statement, GALA praised the youths for confronting “repression, intimidation, and state arrogance,” declaring them the true representatives of the oppressed. The group insisted the unrest was not mere isolated discontent but a manifestation of deep systemic contradictions. “Those in power seek to maintain control through fear, while the people demand justice, dignity, and material change,” it said.
Addressing the young demonstrators directly, GALA declared: “You are not just participants in a protest; you are agents of historical transformation.” The movement highlighted how the current system has exploited the labor of the youth, silenced their voices, and stolen their future, while reaffirming solidarity with the unemployed, the marginalized, and what it called “the true engine of society.”
GALA warned that state repression is “the last weapon of a system that is losing its legitimacy.” It added: “The more the state tightens its grip, the more it reveals its fear of the organized power of the people.” The group vowed to remain organized, conscious, and fully committed to dismantling injustice in all its forms, stating that the next phase of the struggle would be communicated soon.
The protests erupted after Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang, were acquitted and discharged by High Court Justice Ebrima Jaiteh on Monday in connection with the 2023 killing of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic lights. Despite the court ruling, the siblings were reportedly rearrested shortly afterward, triggering widespread outrage and swift mobilization by GALA and other youths in Westfield and Brufut. Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons, leading to clashes.
Under mounting public pressure from the youth-led actions, authorities eventually released the Bojang siblings. GALA and residents in Brufut celebrated the development as a victory for justice and respect for the rule of law.
In a separate situational report, GALA provided updates on casualties from the protests. The movement confirmed that an elderly man injured during the demonstrations is receiving treatment and responding positively, with GALA contributing toward his medical expenses. It appealed to the public and supporters of the struggle to stand in solidarity with the man and his family to ensure he receives the care he needs.
However, GALA expressed serious concern that a woman and her six-month-old baby remain missing. The group urgently called on the public to provide any information that could help locate them, emphasizing that confirming the infant’s safety and condition is a top priority. As of the report, GALA’s Central Committee was actively engaging communities in Banyaaka to gather leads and trace the missing mother and child.
GALA described the entire situation as a collective struggle, urging Gambians to demonstrate compassion, unity, and responsibility.
Originally formed to push for transparency and accountability in the recovery of assets looted during the Yahya Jammeh era, GALA has evolved into a vocal critic of corruption, governance failures, and perceived state overreach. Analysts view the latest statement and protests as evidence that Gambian youths are increasingly unwilling to tolerate what they see as judicial interference and police brutality, transforming localized grievances into a broader demand for systemic reform.
As tensions ease following the release of the Bojang siblings, many observers are watching closely for GALA’s announced “next phase.” Authorities have called for calm, but the movement’s militant tone and focus on deeper structural issues suggest that youth activism in The Gambia is entering a more sustained and confrontational phase.
The protests have also revived uncomfortable questions about the 2023 police killings, with chants of “Who killed the Cops?” echoing through the streets as demonstrators demand full accountability beyond the Bojang case.
