By: Alieu Ceesay
In a fiery press conference today, the Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA), joined by frontline activists Mustapha Manneh from Kartong, Ousman Sanyang from Sanyang, Lamin A. Sonko from Tujereng, and Kemo Fatty of Green-Up Gambia & The Ecological Justice Movement, issued a powerful ultimatum to mining companies and the government to stop the destruction of Gambia’s coastline or face unrelenting resistance.
Under the rallying cry, “We have spoken. Now we act,” GEA condemned the ongoing sand mining operations, particularly by the Gambia Angola China (GACH) Mining Company along the Sanyang coastline. The alliance described these activities as a blatant act of environmental injustice, accusing mining companies of looting natural resources, disrupting local livelihoods, and betraying communities. “Our coastline is under siege, our communities are paying the price, and we will not be silent,” declared GEA’s Secretary General, Muhammed Hydara.
“We are calling for an immediate national moratorium on coastal mining. This should be accompanied by independent audits, legislative inquiries, and accountability measures where laws have been violated. We also advocate for the restoration and support for affected communities, focusing on women farmers,” Hydara told the press at the Kairaba Avenue presser.
The press conference spotlighted the devastating impacts of sand mining, which has wreaked havoc on farming, fishing, and environmental conservation efforts in coastal areas.
Executive members of GEA labeled GACH’s operations as “unacceptable,” arguing that the extraction of sand is not development but a theft of Gambia’s future. “Every grain of sand stolen, every field destroyed, is a betrayal of our people,” said Mustapha Manneh, whose community in Kartong has been severely affected.
GEA announced its next steps: delivering a formal petition to the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines and the National Assembly Select Committee on Environment. The alliance emphasized that these are not requests but demands for justice, transparency, and accountability. “We are not begging,” said Ousman Sanyang. “We are fighting for what is rightfully ours—our land, our livelihoods, our future.”
The press conference drew a line in the sand, with GEA vowing to escalate its campaign against GACH and other mining companies if their demands are ignored. Kemo Fatty underscored the alliance’s resolve: “This is a movement for ecological justice. We will fight until our voices are heard and our environment is protected.”
The GEA’s bold stance has ignited hope among affected communities, who see the alliance as a beacon of resistance against environmental exploitation. As the petition moves forward, all eyes are on the government’s response. Will it prioritize corporate interests or heed the cries of its people? For now, GEA stands unshaken, ready to act.
The alliance’s message is clear: the destruction of Gambia’s coastline will not go unchallenged. With communities rallying behind them, GEA is prepared to lead the charge for a sustainable and just future.
