By Ebrima Mbaye
A coalition of concerned citizens, united under the banner In Solidarity with the Youths, has formally requested a police permit to stage a peaceful protest advocating for the release of detained young people. The group submitted a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at Police Headquarters in Banjul, invoking their constitutional right to freedom of assembly and peaceful protest as guaranteed under Section 25 of the Gambian Constitution.
The planned demonstration, scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., aims to address the arrest and ongoing detention of youths who had gathered peacefully at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to express their grievances. The group has voiced strong opposition to the continued remand of these individuals at Mile 2 Central Prison, describing it as unjust. “The continued remand of the youths at Mile 2 Central Prison is unjust, and we demand their release and the delivery of justice in line with democratic principles and the rule of law,” the group stated in their letter.
The proposed march will commence at Mile 2 Central Prison and proceed to the Police Headquarters, with a brief stop at the judiciary premises to deliver a petition. The organizers have pledged to conduct the protest in an orderly and disciplined manner, adhering strictly to police guidance to ensure public safety and maintain peace throughout the event. “We will conduct the march in an orderly and disciplined manner, fully adhering to police guidance to ensure peace and security throughout the exercise,” the letter emphasized.
In their appeal to the police, the group underscored its commitment to exercising its constitutional rights responsibly. “We are urging the police to grant the permit, stressing our intent to exercise our constitutional rights in a peaceful, lawful, and responsible manner,” they wrote. The organizers hope the authorities will approve their request, allowing them to voice their concerns and advocate for the detained youths without incident.
This planned protest comes amid growing public concern over the treatment of young people engaging in civic activism in The Gambia. The detentions have sparked debates about the balance between maintaining public order and upholding the right to free expression and assembly. The group’s petition to the judiciary and their march to the Police Headquarters signal a broader call for accountability and adherence to democratic principles.
As the date of the proposed protest approaches, all eyes will be on the police response to the permit request and the handling of the event. The organizers remain hopeful that their demonstration will proceed peacefully, amplifying their demand for justice and the release of the detained youths while reinforcing The Gambia’s commitment to constitutional rights.
