The Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) will on Friday, May 15, 2026 celebrate its one-year anniversary after the police gave the official permission for the event. The permit opens the door for the group to galvanise supporters and celebrate one year of its activities in 2025.
The movement says the anniversary is not just a celebration, but also a moment to look back on its journey so far. For the past year, GALA has defined itself in terms of demands for accountability, transparency and recovery of public assets associated with former President Yahya Jammeh. The organisers say the event will showcase both their progress and the challenges they have faced along the way.
GALA officials said they followed the proper procedures to secure the police permit. They said the gathering will be peaceful and asked supporters to behave in an orderly manner throughout the programme. They argue that the point is to celebrate, not to create tension or confrontation.
The anniversary comes at a time when the group has been widely debated in the public arena. Recent arrests of some of its members drew attention of civil society groups and sparked conversations on the freedom of assembly and civic rights. Despite the controversy, GALA says it hasn’t changed its focus.
The event is expected to attract members, supporters and watchers who have followed the movement from its inception. For many, it is an opportunity to think about how far the group has come, and where it may be heading.
There has been a mixed reaction to the planned celebration. Some see it as a positive example of democratic space being respected, but others have called for calm and responsible behaviour from all sides. Security arrangements have been made to ensure that everything goes smooth.
GALA says as it celebrates this milestone, it will continue to push its message of accountability and good governance in the national discourse.
