By Makutu Manneh
Hakeem Touray, national coordinator of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), and the group’s spokesperson, Omar Saibo Camara, have rejected suggestions that the movement is being used to advance opposition political views.
In an interview on “The Brunch,” a weekly public affairs program hosted by Kerr Fatou, GALA’s National Coordinator, Hakeem Touray, said public criticism of corruption and injustice in The Gambia is often interpreted by authorities as an attack on the administration of President Adama Barrow.
“Anytime you organize a protest with a genuine cause, the government will see it as a direct attack on the regime,” Mr. Touray said.
He emphasized that GALA is not aligned with any political opposition and has no plans to transform into a political party or contest elections. “If that were our intention, we would have entered the political arena by now,” he added.
GALA’s spokesperson, Omar Saibo Camara, echoed those remarks, noting that the movement cannot control who chooses to participate in its protests.
“When we call for a protest and members of the opposition attend, we cannot ask them to leave; they are citizens,” Mr. Camara said. “You can be part of the government and still disagree with it, especially in cases of corruption.”
He added that GALA’s calls to action are directed at all Gambians, regardless of political affiliation. “If a Gambian responds to that call, irrespective of their political background, how is that our concern?” he said.
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