President Adama Barrow has assured Gambians that his government is fully committed to the values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.
Ebrima G. Sankareh, government spokesperson said Wednesday in the wake of the death of a 33 year-old shopkeeper at the Serekunda market, Ousman Darboe, under circumstances which is still under police investigations.
Sankareh said the Gambia government expressed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and friends of Darboe.
He pointed out that, consistent with these norms, the Gambia government would immediately set up an independent enquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Darboe death, adding that any person persons found to be liable would face the full force of the law.
Over one thousand market people marched to the Serrekunda Police in protest over the death of Ousman Darboe, whom protesters claimed was killed by the Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police.
Meanwhile, he said the Gambia government has appealed for calm, and advised citizens, especially the youth, to stay home and resist the temptation to be violent.
Sankareh further urged the public to refrain from provoking the security forces and avoid all acts of vandalism, in reference to an incident during which the residence of Police Commissioner Gorigi Mboob was set ablaze at Ebo town.
“The Interior Ministry wants to remind Gambians that while it is their democratic right to assemble and demonstrate, it is illegal to indulge in arson, looting and all forms of violence against any citizen.
“Equally, the Interior Ministry firmly warns against mob justice and admonishes the youth to avoid taking the law into their own hands no matter how painful the circumstances.
“The public is thus reminded that police presence in key locations within our communities was primarily to protect and preserve the law and police officers should therefore, be seen as legitimate custodians of the peace and not troublemakers,” he pointed out.
