Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) has announced plans to stage a peaceful protest on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Westfield, Kanifing Municipality, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
The protest is aimed at drawing national attention to what the group describes as entrenched corruption, financial mismanagement, and systemic inefficiencies within public institutions across The Gambia.
In a public statement issued Monday, GALA spokesperson Omar Saibo Camara expressed deep concern over what he termed the “blatant disregard for the rule of law, lack of accountability, and abuse of office” that has taken root since the political transition of 2016. The group warned that such trends are “directly threatening the very fabric of our democracy, undermining good governance and the future of our nation.”
GALA stated that it has formally submitted a request to the Inspector General of Police for a permit to conduct the protest and emphasised that the action falls within the boundaries of the law, specifically Section 25 of the 1997 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“This protest is not a vain reaction; rather it is an exercise of moral responsibility and civic duty in line with the laws of the land to demand action by the state,” the group’s statement read.
The organisation, which describes itself as a grassroots civic movement advocating for transparency and accountability, outlined a detailed list of unresolved scandals and systemic failures that have prompted the protest. Among the issues cited:
- Russian Oil Scandal Report (2025)
- Malpractices exposed by National Audit Office Reports (2017–2020)
- Malpractices exposed in GTBoard Staff Petition and confirmed by the National Assembly (2023)
- Malpractices exposed in the GPA Corruption Report of the National Assembly (2023)
- Malpractices highlighted in several audit reports:
- EFSTH Audit Report (2021)
- IEC Audit Report (2024)
- COVID Funds Report (2023)
- Illegal Land Allocations (2017–2025)
- Passport Scandal (2021)
- National Assembly Resolution on Government Imprest Report (2023)
- Widespread erosion of the Rule of Law and Abuse of Office
- Gross Inefficiency, Negligence, and Underperformance in the Public Service
- Transparency Deficit across Public Institutions
- Corruption at the Gambia Football Federation
Under the slogan “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” GALA is positioning the protest as “a national call to conscience,” intended to unify Gambians “by the pain of betrayal and the hope for a better country.” The group insists the demonstration will be conducted peacefully and responsibly, in full respect of the law, and is calling on citizens from all walks of life to join the movement.
“This is not about anger; it’s about courage, unity, and love for country,” the statement said. “We demand transparency, accountability, and probity in the public sector. The fight against corruption is urgent and must begin now.”
The protest is expected to be one of the largest public demonstrations against corruption in recent years. GALA says the aim is to send a clear and united message to government institutions that Gambians will no longer tolerate impunity or mis governance.
