Gambian Authorities Clash with Activists Demanding Accountability for Jammeh’s Seized Assets

GALA Protestors at Westfield © Alhagie Manka

By Fatoumata Jaiteh

In a striking contrast to the ongoing 83rd Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, Gambian police arrested several youth activists on 8th May 2025, who had gathered near the Arch to protest the government's handling of seized assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.

The protesters convened peacefully, demanding transparency from the Gambian government, which has come under intense public scrutiny for selling Jammeh’s assets without disclosing the buyers' identities. Many citizens view this lack of transparency as a betrayal of the transitional justice process, which was intended to ensure accountability and restore public trust.

The ACHPR has consistently emphasised that peaceful protests are a legitimate means for individuals and groups to express dissent, demand accountability, and influence public policy. The Commission has repeatedly called on African states to respect, protect, and facilitate the right to peaceful assembly by ensuring that security forces refrain from excessive force, arbitrary arrests, or harassment of demonstrators.

A key document in this context is the "Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa," which outlines how states should uphold the right to protest in accordance with the African Charter. The ACHPR urges governments to foster an enabling environment for peaceful protests and to enact laws that do not unduly restrict citizens' ability to organise and express themselves.

Despite the nonviolent nature of the demonstration, police swiftly intervened, claiming the protest was unauthorised due to the absence of a permit. Officers dispersed the crowd and arrested several individuals, including notable figures such as Sonko Gambia, Kexx Sanneh, Alieu Bah, and Bob Keita, as reported by local media outlet Keur Fatou.

On the same day, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) expressed concern over the arrest of two journalists and reported that an attempt was made to detain a third journalist covering the protest, which was organised by a group of activists known as Gambia Against Looted Assets (GALA). The detained journalists were Alieu Ceesay of Allamba Times and Sheriff Conteh of In-depth Media. According to the GPU, they were arrested after publishing a story titled "The Assets of Gambia's Former Dictator Go for a Song."