By Seedy Jobe
Officials of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) have condemned their recent arrests as unjustified and unlawful, vowing to go ahead with their planned one-year anniversary gathering. The remarks came shortly after their release on bail by the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Monday, May 11, 2026.
The 14 members were charged with unlawful assembly and common nuisance following their arrest in connection with an event at the Youth Monument. Each was granted bail in the sum of D80,000, with one Gambian surety required.
Speaking to reporters after their release, GALA National Coordinator Hakim Touray expressed gratitude to supporters and the group’s legal team, while firmly rejecting the basis of the charges.
“This was a clear injustice. Even the state cannot justify what happened,” Touray said. He questioned why GALA was required to obtain a permit when, according to remarks attributed to the Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, numerous events had previously been held at the same venue without such authorization. “That question remains unanswered,” he added.
Touray further alleged that the group was wrongfully arrested, detained, and prosecuted. He also accused security forces of using excessive force during the arrests, claiming that some members were subjected to mistreatment.
“We saw what happened to some of our comrades before they were arrested. This is not the first time they maltreated people; this is not the first time they brutalized people that they are supposed to protect,” he said. “But right now what we are seeing in The Gambia, they are not protecting people. They are protecting thieves.”
He maintained that GALA’s activities are not politically motivated. “We do not come out because of politics. We do not come out because we want payment. We do not come out because we want money. If that were the case, the story would have been different. The fight continues. The struggle continues,” he said.
GALA spokesperson Omar Camara also acknowledged the efforts of the legal team, singling out counsel L.S. Camara for his role in securing their release after several days of detention.
Camara criticized conditions in police detention facilities, describing them as inadequate and inhumane. He cited poor ventilation, unsanitary conditions, and alleged verbal abuse by officers during their detention.
“I want to inform the entire world that the police cells continue to be the most terrible detention centres in this country. No ventilation, poor sanitation. For the past three nights, we have been verbally abused every second by police officers, but that doesn’t kill our spirit,” he stated
Despite the arrests, Camara announced that GALA would proceed with its anniversary event as planned.
“Friday, 15th of May 2026, Gambians Against Looted Assets will commemorate their one-year anniversary, and we are going to do it at the Youth Monument. They can come back if they believe we are going to violate the law,” he said.
He argued that similar public gatherings have historically not required permits, asserting that the issue was specific to GALA’s involvement. “The problem is not the monument. The problem is because it was GALA that was coming out,” he added.
Camara also called on media organizations and political parties to move beyond statements of support.
“Thank you very much, and continue to amplify our voice. There is no other freedom until the media is free. To the political parties that released statements, we thank you, but statements are not enough. Join us on the streets.”
He further appealed to the National Human Rights Commission to take concrete steps to address conditions in detention facilities.
“Thank you very much for coming around, but we hope you don’t only stop at statements. Fix the detention centers. They are in terrible conditions,” he said.
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