Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) issued a public advisory on Thursday urging citizens to protest peacefully amid days of unrest over chronic electricity and water shortages.
The group acknowledged widespread frustration, stating that reliable power and water are necessities, not luxuries, and that the government must act urgently to restore services. “The frustration is real. The anger is justified,” the advisory said.
However, GALA drew a firm line against violence. “Protest is a right. Violence is not,” it declared. The movement warned that burning, looting, destroying property, or attacking people, police stations, businesses or public infrastructure weakens the cause, harms innocent Gambians and creates new problems.
“Anyone who engages in violence, looting or destruction must understand that such acts carry consequences under the law,” the statement added.
GALA called on young people and all Gambians taking to the streets to demand answers and action, but to do so lawfully. It also urged the government to “hear the people. Act now. Restore reliable electricity and water. This crisis cannot continue.”
The group appealed to police to handle demonstrations professionally, noting that officers also suffer from the same shortages. “We must not protest against The Gambia. We must protest for The Gambia,” it said.
The advisory follows nights of protests that began Monday, with some demonstrators burning tires, blocking roads and, in one case, setting fire to a police station. President Adama Barrow has pledged improvements by the end of October.
