Are We Still in the Jammeh Era of “Orders from Above”?
Protesters at PURA HQ
By Askanwi Media
The recent arrests and detention of protesters opposing the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) controversial D50-per-1GB price floor for mobile data have raised troubling concerns, not only about freedom of assembly but also about the conduct and chain of command within the Gambia Police Force.
Although the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommended comprehensive security sector reforms, the events surrounding the youth-led protest at PURA’s office, which was conducted without procession or loudspeakers, have triggered memories of the past.
Before the arrests, officers on the ground displayed a troubling lack of discipline and open disregard for the chain of command. Following the arrests, detainees were held across various police stations while senior-ranking officers reportedly delayed bail decisions, claiming they were waiting for “orders from above” more than 24 hours after processing. This shows a disturbing echo of the Jammeh era and questions the ongoing security sector reform.
A Protest That Started with Dialogue
On 22nd August 2025, before the protest began outside PURA’s headquarters, leaders from Gom Sa Bopa, EFSCRJ, and GALA engaged senior police officials at the traffic lights near the Westfield roundabout. Chief Superintendent Sanyang, dressed in a white police uniform, appeared to facilitate a peaceful protest. His presence gave protesters hope for a safe and lawful demonstration without procession and the use of loudspeakers.
However, that sense of cooperation quickly evaporated some minutes after the protesters assembled outside PURA. Chief Superintendent Sanyang ordered officers to push them away from the building’s parking lot and onto the main highway, but protesters stood their ground.
Chaos and Internal Breakdown
Despite tensions, Sanyang and other senior officers were still attempting to communicate with the crowd when Superintendent Sarr of the Police Intervention Unit arrived. In a shocking display of internal conflict, Sarr verbally abused RSM Saidy, a moment captured on viral video, before ordering a violent crackdown on protesters, leading to their arrest. This breach of discipline, particularly the reaction of Sarr toward both Saidy and Sanyang, a higher-ranking officer, illustrates deeper systemic issues within the security sector.
Upon the arrest of 19 individuals, some were then subjected to brutal assaults while in police custody, rekindling painful memories of the Jammeh era, when peaceful protests, such as those led by Solo Sandeng, were met with violence and impunity.
“Orders From Above”: A Past Memory Brought to Life
Hours after the arrests were made, the police reported that they had charged 19 individuals with “unlawful assembly”. During our reporters' visit to some of the police stations, Askanwi Media learnt that protesters were held without bail for over 24 hours, even after completing cautionary and voluntary statements and some with their lawyers visiting the stations. Senior Station Officers told detainees that they were “waiting for orders from above” to determine whether bail would be granted.
This phrase, “orders from above”, has a dark legacy. The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) repeatedly cited its use as justification for acts of torture, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial actions under the former regime. In one of Askanw’s visits to some of the stations, some detainees narrated personal testimonies of how they were abused. This included reports of assault inside a police vehicle while transferring four of them from Kariaba to Bakoteh police station under the order of Superintendent Sarr.
On August 23, during a second peaceful protest calling for the release of the original detainees, security forces led another crackdown, arresting three other individuals, bringing the total to 23. Detainees told Askanwi they were injured in the process, and some were still seeking medical attention while in custody.
Conditional Bail Rejected
After 24 hours of their arrest, detainees were offered conditional bail. However, according to the police, “only three suspects accepted the bail condition.” These, they said, are Badou Secka, Bakary Jammeh and Bakary J. Sanyang. The rest rejected the offer, demanding unconditional bail. Their call has been echoed by civil societies both in The Gambia and abroad, who issued statements condemning the arrest and reinforcing the call for their immediate release on unconditional bail. Although the police did report the bail of Badou Secka, they did not mention that he suffered an epileptic seizure.
As of the point of this publication, the youth remain in limbo. Senior officers continue to pass the message up the chain, waiting for further “orders from above,” a process that has delayed justice and prolonged suffering. The police on their Facebook page have highlighted that the remaining 16 out of the 19 first arrested will be taken to court if they deny the conditional bail for a court bail. However, no update has been made regarding the three arrested on Saturday, 23rd August 2025.
