The spirit of Ebrima Solo Sandeng, a slain Gambian activist whose 2016 protest against electoral injustice sparked a movement that toppled a dictatorship, continues to inspire a new wave of activism.
On May 8, 2025, the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), a youth-led group, staged a massive protest in Banjul, demanding full disclosure of buyers involved in the sale of assets recovered from former President Yahya Jammeh. The demonstration, met with police arrests, echoed Sandeng’s fearless stand for justice and transparency, galvanizing public outrage over government secrecy.
Sandeng, a United Democratic Party (UDP) leader, was tortured to death by state agents after leading a peaceful march for electoral reforms on April 14, 2016. His death ignited nationwide protests that culminated in Jammeh’s electoral defeat in 2016.
The Solo Sandeng Foundation, founded by his daughter Fatoumatta, has since championed justice and reform, and its recent solidarity with GALA underscores Sandeng’s enduring influence. “Solo’s sacrifice showed us that silence is not an option,” said GALA spokesperson Omar Saibo Camara, citing Sandeng’s courage as a catalyst for their movement.
GALA’s protest, sparked by a report alleging a cover-up in the sale of Jammeh’s seized properties, saw hundreds march from the National Assembly to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Despite police denying their permit and arresting 27 activists, GALA’s resolve mirrored Sandeng’s defiance, with the group vowing to continue until transparency is achieved.
Madi Jobarteh of the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice praised GALA, noting, “Solo’s legacy lives in these young Gambians who refuse to let impunity prevail.”
The Solo Sandeng Foundation condemned the arrests, echoing calls for the protesters’ release and linking GALA’s demands to Sandeng’s fight for accountable governance.
As The Gambia grapples with its democratic transition, Sandeng’s spirit—symbolized by the Never Again Arch where his 2023 state funeral was held—continues to inspire a generation to demand justice, ensuring his sacrifice remains a beacon for change.
