By Makutu Manneh
The youths and residents of Mandinary village have formally petitioned the Ministry of Interior, with copies sent to other relevant authorities, demanding urgent and transparent action regarding the death of Omar Badjie.
In their petition, the community emphasized their commitment to peace and lawful engagement, while urging the state to uphold justice and accountability.
“We are committed to peaceful, lawful engagement, and we respectfully demand swift, transparent action to uphold the rule of law, protect community trust, and honor the dignity of the deceased and his family,” the petition stated.
The petitioners outlined several immediate demands, including:
1. Immediate suspension of all police officers involved in the arrest, custody, transport, or supervision of Mr. Badjie pending the outcome of investigations.
2. Constitution of an impartial investigation panel to inquire into the circumstances of Mr. Badjie’s death. The panel should include the NHRC and independent experts (e.g., forensic/pathology and legal), with guarantees for witness protection, evidence preservation, and a public record of findings.
3. Prompt charging and arraignment in court of any officer(s) found, on the basis of evidence, to be criminally responsible. The investigation and prosecution should be conducted in full accordance with due process and the laws of The Gambia.
4. Clear timeline: Within seven (7) days of receiving this petition, we expect a public update confirming (i) the suspension of the officers involved, (ii) the establishment and terms of reference of the panel, and (iii) the timeline for formal arrest and charging where the evidence warrants it.
The community also proposed additional safeguards, including an independent autopsy shared with the family and NHRC, a Ministry-facilitated community–police dialogue to rebuild trust, and the establishment of a secure channel for witnesses to submit evidence.
“This petition is grounded in our shared national values of justice, dignity, and accountability, and in The Gambia’s constitutional and human-rights obligations,” the document added.
Residents of Mandinary stressed their commitment to remain peaceful and cooperative but appealed to the authorities to act with urgency and transparency.