PRESS RELEASE
10/5/25
As I observe developments on official international duties, it is evident that denying permits for peaceful assemblies risks escalating tensions. In this case, a group of fewer than thirty individuals submitted a lawful request to gather peacefully. The assembly though unlawful, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) could have simply granted the permit with reasonable conditions to ensure public order. This measured approach would have aligned with procedural fairness while mitigating the potential for conflict.
We call for their unconditional release!. I urge fellow youths to remain calm and disciplined as we wait: keep gatherings peaceful, document any violations of rights, and seek legal counsel when necessary. Our moral authority depends on our steadfast adherence to democratic norms and nonviolence.
At the same time, I wish to caution political actors against exploiting these demonstrations for partisan gain. Genuine calls for transparency should not be weaponized for narrow political advantage and using young people and capitalizing in these fragile moments. Rather we must focus solely on upholding justice and serving the public interest. The call is genuine and need not to be blemished.
While we consistently honor the bravery and dedication of our security forces, I must unequivocally condemn the excessive and unjustifiable violence exhibited by certain personnel toward peaceful protesters. Such actions marked by unwarranted aggression and disregard for proportionality betray the principles of public trust and professionalism. This troubling pattern exposes glaring deficiencies in our ongoing security sector reforms. Moving forward, robust accountability mechanisms and comprehensive retraining programs must be prioritized to realign institutional conduct with the values of restraint, dignity, and service to the people.
As Parliament gears for an extra ordinary session on the matter, I appeal to fellow elected representatives to engage this matter with conscience and objectivity remembering that accountability transcends party lines.
By now we should have learnt from the past, ensuring any reform to our laws on peaceful assembly should strengthen, rather than erode, fundamental rights.
At this critical juncture while cherished comrades remain confined we must resist the urge to exploit these moments for personal grandstanding. This is not a time for self-promotion, but for solidarity and introspection. Let us pause to reflect deeply on our shared purpose: to assess where we stand as a movement and as a nation, and to chart a unified, principled path forward. Only through collective clarity and resolve can we navigate these challenges with integrity.
Hon. Abdoulie Njai
Member of Parliament
Banjul Central Constituency
