By: Isatou Sarr
Fifteen protesters were arrested outside Mile Two Central Prison on Monday as tensions escalated following the detention of 23 youths earlier in that day.
The unrest began when Magistrate Thomas Touray of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court denied bail to the 23 individuals, who had been arrested during a demonstration on Friday.
The court’s decision sparked anger among supporters gathered outside the court room some of whom vowed to accompany the detainees to Mile 2 Prison, insisting they had committed no crime.
As the detainees were being transported, a confrontation broke out at the court gates between protesters and police officers, including personnel from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
Eyewitnesses reported that the PIU deployed teargas to disperse the crowd, prompting some youths to respond by throwing stones. During the clash, several protesters—including Omar Salibo Camara and Omar Sanyang—were arrested.
Multiple casualties were reported. Victims—including bystanders, journalists, security personnel, an elderly woman, and a mother with her infant—were taken to The Gambia Red Cross Society Headquarters for first aid. Prominent activist, Madi Jobarteh, who was also affected by the teargas, received treatment at Westfield Clinic.
Later in the day, another group of 15 protesters, including four women, was intercepted at the gates of Mile Two Central Prison while marching toward Banjul to protest the earlier arrests. The group, led by environmental activist Kemo Fatty, insisted their protest was peaceful and within their legal rights.
Fatty appealed to the police to allow the march to continue, but a chief inspector ordered the immediate arrest of the entire group, citing official instructions.
The arrests come amid rising public frustration over the continued enforcement of the Public Order Act and what critics say is the silencing of peaceful dissent. The incident underscores mounting tensions between the authorities and civil society groups in The Gambia.