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Thousands of Gambians took to the streets of Banjul on Wednesday in a mass protest against government corruption, demanding justice and greater accountability in the wake of several recent scandals.
The demonstration, led by the youth movement Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), drew large crowds to the Westfield Monument — a well-known site for public gatherings in the capital. Protesters held handwritten placards bearing messages such as “Gambians are not slaves to corruption” and chanted slogans including “People! Power!” as they marched through the city.
Fallou Gallas Ceesay, GALA’s programme and administrative director, told AFP that the country had endured a prolonged period of “pillage and plunder” and that corruption had become deeply rooted in Gambian institutions. The group is calling on President Adama Barrow to take decisive action against corrupt practices.
“We’ve witnessed numerous investigations revealing serious allegations of corruption, yet the president has failed to act,” said protester Sucre Mike.
During the demonstration, participants submitted formal petition letters to several government bodies, including the presidency, the National Assembly, and various ministries.
One petition delivered to the Ministry of Health addressed the tragic deaths of around 70 children in 2022, linked to contaminated cough syrup produced by Indian pharmaceutical firm Maiden Pharmaceuticals. Another petition targeted the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, concerning an oil deal with Russia in which officials are suspected of receiving kickbacks.
“It’s not just the youth standing up today — the entire country is speaking out to ensure corruption becomes a thing of the past,” said GALA spokesperson Omar Saibo.
Other issues raised during the protest included alleged misuse of COVID-19 relief funds and an embezzlement scandal involving the Gambia Ports Authority.
