Former Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) Executive Secretary Dr. Baba Jallow has written a heartfelt open letter urging President Adama Barrow to take immediate action to resolve a developing crisis brought on by the Gambia Police Force’s detention of peaceful protesters. Jallow cautions that the arrests, which were conducted in the name of upholding law and order, have turned public unrest into a contentious political issue that jeopardizes the stability of the country.
The arrests are the result of peaceful protests by citizens over tariffs established by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Jallow contends that the police-enforced legislation, which was carried over from the oppressive administration of previous President Yahya Jammeh, is a “bad law” that restricts democratic liberties. Jallow says, “It is a law that has no place in our current democratic dispensation,” pointing out that its application has turned lawful civic engagement into a national security issue. He gives historical examples of how official crackdowns on protests caused the government to fall, such as Tunisia under Ben Ali and Senegal under Macky Sall.
Jallow highlights that ensuring rights like freedom of assembly and expression—rather than merely having elections or showing development projects—is essential to democratic legitimacy. Suppressing peaceful protests, he cautions, does not end opposition but rather intensifies it, sowing discontent and possibly causing national instability. Jallow argues that it is never a good idea to arrest peaceful protesters, citing the demonstrations in support of the arrested and the hunger strikes by some protesters as proof of rising tensions.
The letter emphasizes how the police might have kept the demonstrations in check and allowed people to air their complaints and leave in peace. Arrests, on the other hand, have made lawful activities illegal and channeled resentment into unstable areas. Jallow points out that there is no benefit to transferring demonstrators to Mile Two Remand Wing and that doing so could exacerbate the situation. He writes, “A government is projecting weakness and insecurity, not strength, when it responds to peaceful protests with repression.”
Jallow warns Barrow against making the same mistakes as his predecessor, whose repression led to his downfall, by drawing comparisons to Jammeh’s downfall. He calls on the president to acknowledge peaceful protests as a democratic “safety valve” that enables people to hold institutions responsible without using force. Jallow contends that suppressing these protests creates a “very dangerous potential for national instability” by undermining public confidence, undermining the legitimacy of the administration, and widening social divisions.
Jallow makes a clear request in the letter’s conclusion for Barrow to step in and unconditionally free the protesters who have been arrested. He presents this move as a brave attempt to strengthen national security and Gambia’s democracy. “Being morally upright is not a show of weakness. It is an indication of brave and effective leadership,” Jallow adds. Although he says that Barrow’s appointment of a commission to examine PURA tariffs is a good step, he maintains that the protesters’ release is essential to defusing the situation.
Public indignation at the arrests and the government’s response has increased, and the situation in the Gambia is still tight. Jallow’s letter warns that further repression may have unanticipated repercussions and emphasizes the wider ramifications for democratic government. As the country looks on, Barrow has a crucial opportunity to show leadership by accepting dissent as a necessary component of democracy rather than as a danger that must be put down.
Jallow ends, “May peace be upon The Gambia,” and hopes that Barrow would move quickly to bring about calm and support the nation’s democratic advancements. As the issue develops, the country awaits the president’s answer, which could influence Gambia’s democratic destiny.
