The first week of 2026 began on a positive note for Askanwi Media after it blew the whistle on telecom operators for failing to comply with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) D75 per 1GB price ceiling, announced on 19th December 2025.

Follow Askanwi’s week-long advocacy journalism for the reduction of data prices under the price floor, which featured interviews with PURA and Gamcel.

Almost one week into 2026, Askanwi Media can reveal that only Comium appears to be complying with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) newly announced data price ceiling. Months after over 23 protestors were jailed for petitioning PURA’s D50 per 1GB price floor, PURA eventually succumbed to their demands to abolish the price floor and introduce a price ceiling, but it appears telecom companies are still not in compliance. More in the news report.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a statement demanding for an independent investigation into the death of Omar Badjie. More in the press release.

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a statement urging the government to drop charges against 23 demonstrators charged with unlawful assembly while urging right holders to remain lawful. More in the presser from the NHRC.

Article 19 issued a statement on the arrest of some 23 advocates for protesting against the PURA price floor in August 2025. The activists were remanded in Mile 2 and went on a hunger strike.

More in the press release.

Mr Sainey Senghore, a survivor of the April 10/11, 2000, student protests, has called for school uniforms to be preserved as a symbol of learning rather than politics. Speaking in the wake of an exchange of press releases between the government and a civil society organisation over students in uniform participating in an anti-corruption protest, the human rights advocate cautioned against their use in welcoming presidents or joining demonstrations, warning that such practices risk politicising education and undermining the neutrality of schools. More in the report.

Despite constitutional guarantees of peaceful assembly, The Gambia’s Public Order Act continues to be wielded against activists, with the recent arrest of members of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) highlighting ongoing tensions between civil liberties and state control. More in the report.

Gambian authorities clashed with activists on 8th May 2025, as police arrested several demonstrators who were protesting the government's handling of former President Yahya Jammeh’s seized assets. The protesters, who gathered near the Arch in Banjul, demanded greater transparency in the sale of Jammeh’s assets, which many citizens believe undermines the country’s transition to justice and accountability. More in this publication.

On Thursday, December 12th, 2024, the Management of the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG) received notice of a sit-down strike notice from the MRCG Workers’ Union Executive, effective Monday, December 16th, 2024.

After yesterday’s press briefing by the Ministry of Higher Education calling for dialogue over the impasse facing the University of the Gambia, a communique from the UTG’s Student’s Union received by this medium indicates that the latter will advocate for a postponement of exams until 6th January 2025. More in the report.

The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) have been issued a protest permit by the Gambia Police Force yesterday 5th November 2024 to protest tomorrow, 7th November 2024 in Banjul for a return of the 2020 Draft Constitution.