The family of the late Omar Badjie and youth leaders from Mandinary have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Gambian Government and the Gambia Police Force, demanding action on the findings of the Coroner’s Inquest into Badjie’s death.
At a news conference on Sunday, Youth Leader Ibrahim John, representing the Mandinary youth, expressed deep frustration over the continued silence from authorities despite the coroner’s report confirming the cause of death and recommending the prosecution of police officers allegedly involved.
“The inquest has done its part — it established both the cause of death and pointed to possible criminal liability,” the group said. “In other jurisdictions, this would have triggered swift accountability. Here in The Gambia, we are still waiting.”
The youth and family are demanding several immediate steps. They want the Inspector General of Police to issue a formal acknowledgment and apology to the Badjie family and the Mandinary community for what they describe as an earlier false narrative surrounding the incident.
They are also calling on the Government to apologize to the family and residents of Mandinary, citing the state’s responsibility for the handling of the case and its aftermath.
Among their key demands is the immediate prosecution and dismissal of the police officers implicated in the inquest report. The group insists these measures are essential to uphold the rule of law and restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
“Our demands are not new claims; they are based squarely on the inquest’s findings and recommendations,” they emphasized. “We are simply asking for the enforcement of legal processes.”
The statement also referenced earlier clashes between security forces and residents, arrests of youths, and the use of force during community unrest linked to the case. The youth warned that failure to respond within seven days would force them to pursue further actions.
They expressed gratitude to civil society groups and other supporters who have stood with the family and community throughout the process.
This comes barely a three weeks after the Judiciary of The Gambia released a damning coroner’s report that directly holds police officers responsible for the death of Omar Badjie of Mandinarin Village in the West Coast Region (WCR).
In a press release dated 20th April 2026, the Office of the Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow announced that it has received and endorsed the findings of Her Worship Anna O. Mendy, Principal Magistrate and Coroner, into the death of Omar Badjie.
The incident occurred on 26th September 2025 during a law enforcement operation in Mandinarin Village when police intervened. According to the coroner’s verdict, Badjie died from an acute brain injury caused by physical exertion, stress, and assault occasioned by police officers while pursuing the deceased.
The coroner examined twelve witnesses, reviewed the post-mortem report, and visited the scene of the incident. Her findings concluded that the fatal injuries resulted directly from the actions of the officers involved.
The report recommends that the matter be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal proceedings against the implicated police officers.
