As we welcome the release of these political prisoners, EFSCRJ wishes to remind Gambians of the betrayal of the ‘New Gambia’ Promise. The incarceration of these GALA and Team Gomsa Bopa protesters, not because they committed a crime but because of political reasons highlights the urgent need for the youth of this country to re-commit themselves to prevent democratic backsliding and ensure that justice and accountability prevail.
In 2016, Gambians stood united and proclaimed, “Gambia Has Decided.” That historic declaration carried the hopes and aspirations of building a New Gambia, a nation anchored on freedom, justice, democracy, and accountability under the guiding principle of “Never Again.”
Today, those noble aspirations have been hijacked. Instead of safeguarding liberty, the state has resorted to arbitrary arrests and detention, police brutality, indiscriminate use of tear gas, and the suppression of dissent. The “Never Again” mantra has been reduced to rhetoric, while the lived reality of Gambians is one of shrinking civic space, rising corruption, and the return of practices we fought to leave behind.
EFSCRJ reminds the Government that “Never Again” was not a slogan for convenience but a solemn covenant between the people and their leaders to break with repression and impunity. Any betrayal of this covenant is a betrayal of the sacrifices and aspirations of the Gambian people.
We therefore call on the Government to urgently restore respect for rights and freedoms, end the persecution of protesters and political prisoners, and recommit to the democratic values that define the New Gambia. Anything less risks dragging our nation back into the darkness of authoritarianism.
We hail the members of Gambians Against Looted Assets and Team Gom Sa Bopa- Believe In Yourself for their determined and conscious stance in defense of the Constitution and democracy in the Gambia. We urge all youths of the Gambia to realize their rights and duties and stand up to defend the Republic by always holding the State accountable.
2025 – The Year of Transparency and Accountability
