Dr. Ceesay Condemns Students’ Treatment of Him During UTG Protest, Calls Actions Unacceptable

By Fatou Sillah

Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr. Ismaila Ceesay has condemned the treatment he received from some University of The Gambia (UTG) students during Monday’s protest, describing their actions as unacceptable.

Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay said he went to the university after a member of staff contacted him and asked him to help calm students who were growing increasingly angry during the demonstration. He said he chose to go because of his 15 years of service at the university as a staff member and his relationship with some of the students. He added that he left his security detail behind and walked to the campus because he wanted to help resolve the situation peacefully.

Upon his arrival, however, some students shouted at him, told him to go home, and threw stones at him. Dr. Ceesay said he understood the students’ frustration but maintained that their actions were wrong.

“As a state minister and as a former lecturer, what they did is unacceptable by any standard of civilized society. The actions are not acceptable, and I think everybody should condemn those actions,” he said.

He acknowledged that students have a right to express their grievances and frustrations, but said they should do so without violence, particularly against someone who had served the university for 15 years.

Dr. Ceesay also thanked the police for exercising maximum restraint during the incident, noting that he himself remained calm despite the students’ reaction. He stressed that the conduct of some students should not be taken as representative of the entire student body, adding that he had received calls from other students who condemned what happened.

He said he was not angry with the students and accepted that public criticism and anger come with being a politician.

“I’m a politician, and if the citizens are not happy about something and they direct that anger and frustration at me, I will accept it. I know that is part of my job,” he said.