Two young men, aged 18 and 22, arrested on April 18, 2025, in an unfinished building in Old Yundum for alleged same-sex activity, were released without charge on Sunday, April 20, after two nights in police custody, according to police sources. The decision to release the pair, apprehended by the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), has sparked debate in The Gambia, a predominantly Muslim nation where homosexuality remains illegal and socially taboo.
The men, detained at the Anti-Crime Unit headquarters in Banjulinding, were released on orders from higher authorities, with no formal charges filed. A viral video circulating online showed the pair admitting to the act, fueling public attention.
Sources close to the matter told Alkamba Times that fears of international backlash influenced the decision. “The authorities didn’t want the case to escalate to court. There are concerns it could provoke reactions from international partners and potentially jeopardize foreign aid,” an anonymous source said.
Homosexuality is criminalized in The Gambia under the 1933 Criminal Code, carrying penalties of up to 14 years in prison, with life imprisonment possible for “aggravated” cases since the 2014 amendments.
The country’s strict laws have drawn criticism from global human rights organizations, placing pressure on the government to balance local cultural values with international expectations.
Public reactions in The Gambia, where over 95% of the population is Muslim, reflected deep divisions. A police statement described the investigation as probing an “unnatural sex offense” but offered no further comment.
Sheikh Omar Bah, a prominent local imam, condemned the act in stating, “Homosexuality is against our faith and traditions. The government must uphold our values.”
In contrast, a Banjul-based human rights activist, speaking anonymously to Alkamba Times, criticized the arrests, saying, “Arresting people for their private conduct violates human rights. This shows we’re still far from respecting individual freedoms.”
Social media platforms, particularly X, amplified the polarized sentiments. One trending post read, “We are a Muslim nation, and such acts are unacceptable. The police did right to act.” Another user cautioned, “Releasing them was wise. We can’t afford to lose aid over this.” These reactions underscore the tension between The Gambia’s conservative religious identity and the influence of global human rights discourse.
The two men, hailing from a village in the Upper River Region, include an 18-year-old student. The government has not issued an official statement on the release, but the case highlights ongoing challenges in reconciling Gambia’s legal and cultural stance on homosexuality with international human rights obligations.
As debates continue, the incident remains a flashpoint for discussions on individual freedoms and national identity in the West African nation.
