By Seedy Jobe
Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) on Saturday, May 9, 2026, condemned the arrest of 15 of its members, accusing the police of targeting and intimidating activists ahead of the group’s planned first anniversary commemoration at the Youth Monument in Westfield.
The group made the remarks during a press conference held at the National Youth Parliament premises, shortly after supporters who had gathered at the Kairaba Police Station to show solidarity with those detained were dispersed by officers of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
Speaking at the briefing, environmental activist and GALA member Kemo Fatty said the arrests took place on Friday after police shut down the planned venue, despite the group having secured a permit from the Kanifing Municipal Council.
“They were given a permit by the Kanifing Municipal Council to use the youth monument right at Westfield. This is where they were going to hold the one-year commemoration of GALA. To their surprise, the police had come and closed down the place and asked for a permit,” he said.
Mr. Fatty identified the detained individuals as Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Alieu Imortal Bah, Maimuna A. Bah, Ebrima Genius Janha, Ebrima Kaira, Alieu Sarr, Omar Camara, Hakeem Touray, Abdoulie T. Bah, Kaddy Jadama, Kexx Sanneh, Omar Sanyang, Muhammed Sillah, Pato Jallow, and Lamin Ceesay, insisting that none had committed any offense. “These young people have done no crime,” he said.
He alleged that 12 of those arrested are being held at Kairaba Police Station, while three are detained at Kotu Police Station, also known as “Bambadinka.” He further raised concerns about detention conditions, claiming overcrowding and inadequate access to basic necessities, particularly for female detainees. “Females among these arrested are there. Some of them have been denied basic sanitary equipment like pads. Family members have been denied visitation rights,” he said.
Mr. Fatty linked the arrests to GALA’s anti-corruption advocacy, citing concerns over delayed audit reports dating back to 2021. He argued that the group’s activism has sought to bring greater transparency and accountability to public financial management. “An Auditor General is appointed. He was doing his duties, and then they tried to circumvent that. They try to bury the audit reports since 2021,” he said. “These young people rose to ensure that it comes to light to the public.”
He also criticized police leadership over the handling of the incident, questioning the basis for the arrests and the decision to halt the event. “We express our utter disappointment in Commissioner Jawo. Whoever he is, I don’t know, but I think that his lack of understanding, his stupidity, reflects that of the Inspector General of Police. That your men will come down to the ground without any lawful understanding of why, or what laws people are breaking, only to be arrested. They only expose their own ignorance,” he said.
Despite the crackdown, Mr. Fatty maintained that GALA would continue its campaign, warning that arrests and legal actions would not deter the group’s efforts. “Like I said before, no court bail, no police summons, not even the voice of Mile Two prison will silence our pursuit for justice. Tomorrow is Sunday. If these people are not released, we will continue to show up at that police station as they disperse us,” he said.
He further argued that the group was being singled out for advocating accountability, noting that the Youth Monument has hosted numerous events in the past without interference.
“For decades, this place has been used for events, and nothing is there. Nothing has been done by the police. Only when these young people say they are going to stand to commemorate accountability, transparency, and justice in this country, then we see the very institution that’s supposed to be upholding justice come down there to treat them in such a way,” he said.
Framing the issue within a broader context of justice and governance, Mr. Fatty said GALA’s actions are intended to promote transparency and uphold the rule of law. “When injustice happens, it becomes a threat to justice everywhere. GALA stands for the whole entire Gambia. And these are the few young people that stands with them,” he said.
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