The Gambia Police Force (GPF) is under fire following allegations of misconduct by Superintendent Lamin B. Sarr during a recent protest against the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) decision to impose a D50 per gigabyte data price floor. The protest, organized by civil society groups including Team Gom Sa Bopa, Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), and the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, turned chaotic when police intervened, leading to arrests and accusations of abuse.
Lamin Sey, National Coordinator of Team Gom Sa Bopa, accused Sarr of unlawful arrests, issuing death threats, and violating detainees’ privacy by forcing them to unlock their phones. Sey described Sarr as “ignorant, brutal, and arrogant,” alleging he threatened torture despite the recent passage of the “No to Torture” bill. “This criminal dressed in our noble police uniform blatantly violated rights to dignity and privacy,” Sey stated, calling for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate. Videos circulating on social media, showing Sarr ordering arrests and warning subordinates, have fueled public outrage.
Prominent human rights activist Madi Jobarteh, Executive Director of the Edward Francis Small Centre, condemned Sarr’s actions as a regression from the standards of democratic policing. “Gambians will no longer tolerate public officers flouting our laws and trampling on our rights with impunity,” Jobarteh said. He criticized the GPF for defending Sarr and urged Inspector General of Police (IGP) Seedy Touray to suspend him and launch an investigation. Jobarteh pointed to the 2016 ousting of the dictatorship and subsequent security sector reforms, supported by the NHRC and international partners, as evidence that such conduct is unacceptable. “The evidence is in the public square,” he said, referencing widespread condemnation.
The GPF issued a statement defending Sarr, asserting his actions were lawful and part of his command responsibilities. “His conduct was fully endorsed by the senior Police Command and carried out strictly within the confines of the law,” the statement read. The GPF emphasized its commitment to protecting constitutional rights while maintaining public safety and urged those affected to seek legal redress rather than resorting to social media criticism. The force argued that the protest, held near a commercial bank and a foreign diplomatic mission, risked disrupting public access and breaching international obligations, justifying police intervention.
The PURA protest, sparked by a 243% data price hike, saw activists like Yusef Taylor and rapper Ali’ Killa Ace’ Cham arrested. Four detainees, including Sey, staged hunger strikes in Mile Two prisons, while others reported brutal assaults during arrests. The coalition’s petition demanded the suspension of the tariff, transparency in PURA’s cost model, and an improvement in internet quality. Rights groups, including ARTICLE 19, have called for the protesters’ unconditional release and accountability for police violence, citing violations of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution and international human rights standards.
Critics argue that the incident highlights ongoing challenges in The Gambia’s security sector reform, which was initiated post-2016 to modernize policing. Despite training from partners like the UNDP and adopting a Community Policing Strategy, incidents like this suggest that persistent issues with accountability and professionalism persist.
