The Gambia Police Force have confirmed the arrest of over 16 anti-corruption activists who were protesting after startling relevations about the disposal of former President Yahya Jammeh’s seized assets.
Thursday’s protest orchestrated by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) in the capital Banjul was not authorised by the police.
”Despite the denial, the group went ahead with the protest and were subsequently apprehended and detained at the Banjul Police Station. All refused to disclose their identities during questioning” said a statement by the police.
The protest was precipitated by a comprehensive report on an online Gambian investigative medium last week suggesting an apparent coverup by the government of the controversial shady sale of properties in Jammeh’s name but which were forfeited to the state after losing power in 2026.
The protesters are demanding the full list of all his properties including details about the buyers, the amounts in question, including payments to intermediaries.
They are also calling for transparency in the assets disposal process by the National Assembly, National Audit Office and the immediately withdraw of support for the nomination of former justice minister Ba Tambadou as a member of the International Court of Justice.
According to the revelations, some of Jammeh’s assets which included landed properties were sold to state officials or their alleged proxies.
WN/as/APA