An unidentified group of Gambians, identifying themselves as the United Sovereign States of Africa, Gambia Chapter, has announced plans to march to the French Embassy in Banjul on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in a show of solidarity with Burkina Faso’s transitional President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The demonstration is part of a wave of global protests across Africa and beyond, sparked by Traoré’s defiance against perceived Western interference and his push for African sovereignty.
The Gambian group’s planned protest follows recent criticisms by Traoré of foreign interventions, particularly from the United States and France, in African affairs.
On April 15, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, condemned remarks by General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, who accused Traoré of misusing Burkina Faso’s gold reserves to consolidate power. Traoré has since rallied supporters, denouncing Western influence and advocating for stronger regional alliances, such as the Alliance of Sahel States.
According to posts online posts monitored by Alkamba Times, the Gambian protesters aim to express support for Traoré’s leadership and his efforts to distance Burkina Faso from its former colonial power, France.
The march to the French Embassy in Banjul is intended to echo similar demonstrations in Ouagadougou, where Burkinabé citizens have previously targeted French institutions, including an attack on the French Embassy in 2022 following Traoré’s coup.
Details about the Gambian group remain scarce, and local authorities have not yet confirmed whether the march has been authorized. The protest coincides with heightened political tensions in The Gambia following the recent arrest of Lamin Jabang, an employee of the Brikama Area Council, in connection with an alleged assault on Momodou Sabally, a presidential adviser and deputy campaign manager for the National People’s Party (NPP). While the two events appear unrelated, they underscore the charged political atmosphere in the country.
Globally, protests in support of Traoré are expected in major cities across Africa and among diaspora communities between April 28 and April 30. Organizers have framed these demonstrations as a call for African dignity and resistance against neo-colonialism, drawing inspiration from Traoré’s anti-imperialist rhetoric and his alignment with non-Western partners like Russia and Turkey.
Gambian police have not stated security measures for the planned march, and the French Embassy in Banjul has yet to comment. The protest will likely draw attention to The Gambia’s complex relationship with foreign powers and its role in the broader pan-African movement championed by figures like Traoré.
