Gambians rally against corruption after shocking scandals
Gambians Rally for Justice at Banjul Demonstration
Thousands of citizens gathered in Banjul on Wednesday, demanding that government officials be held accountable for a series of corruption scandals that have plagued the nation.
Voices of Protesters
- Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) displayed handwritten placards reading “Gambians are not slaves to corruption” while chanting “People! Power!”.
- Fallou Gallas Ceesay, director of the youth movement, declared, “We have been living under pillage and plunder for so long, and corruption is endemic in this country.”
Demands for Accountability
- Participants presented petitions to the office of President Adama Barrow, the National Assembly, and several ministries.
- One petition, delivered to the Ministry of Health, highlighted the deaths of around 70 children aged five and under in 2022 after ingesting an over‑the‑counter cough syrup produced by India-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
- Another petition, addressed to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, accused government officials of receiving kickbacks from a Russian oil deal.
Broader Scandals
Protesters also called attention to financial misappropriations, including mismanagement of Covid‑19 funding and an embezzlement scheme at the Gambia Ports Authority.
Statements from GALA Spokesmen
Omar Saibo emphasized, “It’s not only the youths who turned out today; it’s the entire country that must ensure that corruption becomes a thing of the past.”
Gambians stand united, demanding that leaders confront corruption and work toward a transparent and just future for the nation.
