Mandinary Youth Demand Accountability, Issue Seven-Day Ultimatum Over Omar Badjie Inquest Findings

By Fatou Sillah

Youth representatives in Mandinary have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, calling for swift action and accountability following the conclusion of the coroner’s inquest into the death of Omar Badjie.

In a statement delivered by Ebrima John on behalf of concerned youths in the community, the group expressed frustration over what they described as continued silence from the authorities since the release of the inquest report.

“Since the release of that report, neither the Government of The Gambia nor the Gambia Police Force has made any official statement. This silence is deeply concerning,” He Said.

The group outlined four key demands to be addressed within seven days, beginning with a formal apology from the leadership of the Gambia Police Force. According to the statement, this demand stems from what they described as an earlier false account issued by the police regarding the circumstances of Badjie’s death.

“An acknowledgement is not just a formality; it is an official recognition of wrongdoing. An apology to the family and the community is essential in restoring a minimum level of trust and dignity. Without this, the pain of the family remains dismissed, and the public is left without assurance that the truth is respected within the police institution,” he said.

The youths also called on the government to issue a separate formal apology to the bereaved family and the wider Mandinary community.

In addition, they demanded the immediate prosecution of officers implicated in the inquest report, emphasizing that accountability must follow the findings.

“The recommendation for prosecution is not optional; it is a legal obligation that must be fulfilled to ensure accountability. Without prosecution, the entire inquest process risks losing its significance. Justice cannot prevail where findings are disregarded,” the statement noted.

The group further called for the dismissal of all officers implicated in the case, arguing that their continued service undermines public confidence in the police force.

“Officers implicated in such serious violations cannot remain in positions of authority while facing findings of this nature. Their continued presence raises serious concerns about institutional integrity. Dismissal is necessary to demonstrate that such conduct is not tolerated and that the police force remains committed to discipline and accountability,” he said.

The Mandinary youths stressed that their demands are grounded in the findings of the coroner’s inquest and consistent with the law. They warned that failure by the authorities to act within the stipulated timeframe would prompt further action.

“We are not asking for anything beyond the law. We are calling for the implementation of what has already been established through due process,” the statement concluded.