By Isatou Sarr
Gambia’s Inspector General of Police, Seedy Mukhtar Touray, has warned that protests and public processions held without the required authorization will face law enforcement action.
Speaking at a press conference at the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) in Kanifing last Thursday, Touray said the constitution protected the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration. But, he was quick to stress that the exercise of that right was subjected to lawful restrictions aimed at protecting public order, national security and the safety of others.
He says the ‘Public Order Act’ sets out legal requirements governing public processions, including authorization, routes, timing and conduct.
“Peaceful expression of a legitimate grievance is not, in itself, a crime,” Touray remarked, while stressing that violence, vandalism, looting, attacks on security installations and destruction of property could not be justified as part of a protest.
The warning follows several days of protests and public gatherings in Banjul and other parts of the country over persistent electricity disruptions.
According to the IGP, while some gatherings remained peaceful, others developed into unauthorized public processions, including night-time gatherings and movements towards sensitive government installations.
He cited a candlelight procession involving young people, including minors, which moved towards State House before security personnel intervened and dispersed the gathering.
Against this backdrop, Touray announced that the Gambia Police Force, in collaboration with other security services, would commence a Special Joint Security Operation.
The operation will involve coordinated deployments, increased patrols, enhanced security visibility and intelligence-led monitoring in identified areas of concern.
Touray said the operation was intended to protect lives and property, prevent further violence and destruction, safeguard critical national infrastructure and maintain public order.
He stressed that the operation was not directed at any political party, community or law-abiding citizen and was not intended to prevent the lawful expression of grievances.
However, he warned that anyone involved in violence, vandalism, looting, attacks on security facilities or other criminal conduct would face law enforcement action.
The IGP also directed security personnel involved in the operation to maintain professionalism, restraint and proportionality while respecting human rights.
Meanwhile, police investigations are continuing into the vandalism of Farato Police Post on Sept. 8, during which detainees were unlawfully released and police property was taken from the facility.
Touray said an 18-year-old suspect was arrested on Sept. 9th following intelligence-led investigations.
Police recovered one handcuff, five mobile phones and an undisclosed amount of cash suspected to be connected to property taken during the incident, he said.
The IGP said investigations remained ongoing as police worked to identify and locate other individuals who might have been involved.
He added that anyone against whom credible evidence was established would be dealt with in accordance with the law and due process.
Touray further disclosed that some people arrested during the disturbances had since been released after consideration of their individual circumstances, particularly minors and women.
Those who remained in custody, he said, would be processed in accordance with the law and due process.
He stressed that Gambian law applied to everyone within the country’s jurisdiction, regardless of nationality.
Acknowledging that the electricity crisis remained a genuine public concern, Touray said security measures alone could not provide a complete solution.
He called on political leaders, National Assembly Members, councilors, community and religious leaders, youth leaders, parents and other influential members of society to help prevent legitimate grievances from escalating into disorder.
The IGP particularly urged parents and guardians to pay attention to the involvement of children and young people in night-time gatherings that could expose them to danger.
Touray said sustainable peace required responsible policing alongside dialogue, communication and lawful civic engagement.
He assured the public that the security services would protect lawful expression while enforcing the law where violations occurred.
He reiterated that any protest staged without following the required legal process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
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