By Alieu Ceesay
Contrary to the initial German police report, new evidence has emerged in the case of Lamin Touray, a 46-year-old Gambian man who was shot and killed by German Police during an altercation in Lower Saxony, Germany. The original account claimed that he had threatened his girlfriend with a knife before attacking police officers. However, recent information suggests that this may not have been the case.
Yahya Sonko, a leading Gambian migration activist in Germany, expressed his dismay over the misleading report, stating, “We categorically reject the false narrative put forth by the police and demand a thorough and impartial investigation into Lamin’s death.” Sonko emphasized the need for accountability, urging the media and the public to stand with them in seeking justice for Touray and his grieving family.
“I have personally spoken with Lamin’s mother and wife, both of whom vehemently dispute the police’s account of the events. According to them, Lamin’s wife actually called the police seeking assistance to take him to the hospital due to concerns about his mental health, as he had been feeling unwell and was carrying a knife in his pocket.
Tragically, instead of providing the necessary support and assistance, the police escalated the situation, resulting in Lamin’s unjust and untimely death. Lamin’s wife explicitly informed the police that he was not a threat to her and was simply in need of medical attention. Yet, the officers chose to respond with lethal force, treating Lamin like an animal in the forest rather than a human being in distress,” Sonko, who spoke to the family of the late Lamin, told Alkmba Times from his base in Germany.
The Gambia Action Party also joined the chorus of voices denouncing the killing, labeling it as a “horrific violation of human rights compounded by clear indications of racism.”
Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, Secretary General and Party Leader of the Gambia Action Party, called for swift action. He demanded that the Gambian government launch a thorough investigation into the incident and sever all ties with Germany until justice is served.
In response to the outcry, the Gambia government issued a statement on Monday expressing deep concern over the shooting and assuring the public that an investigation is underway. The statement read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and will provide full details in due course.”
The investigation continues as international calls for accountability grow louder; many have called on President Adama Barrow’s government to take prompt action toward justice for the killed Gambian migrant.
The brutal shooting of Lamin Touray serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of systemic racism and injustice faced by Black lives, including Gambian lives, in Germany. The world watches activists, political parties, and governments rally to pursue justice, hoping for accountability and meaningful change.
Sonko further expressed his frustrations as Gambian migrants in Germany continue to face injustice, recalling: ” As Gambians, we stand united in grief and outrage over the senseless loss of Basiru Jallow, a German citizen killed in March 2023, Saikou Kanteh, who German police officers brutalized during the process of deporting him, and now Lamin Touray, who was killed at the hands of German authorities. These tragic incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of violence and injustice against Black lives, including Gambian lives, in Germany. We demand swift and thorough accountability for those responsible for these heinous acts. We will not stay silent in the face of systemic racism and police brutality. We will take to the streets to demand justice and call the international community to stand with us in solidarity. Black Lives Matter, Gambian Lives Matter, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
