Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay said demonstrations directed towards State House, particularly at night, posed serious security risks and could trigger a dangerous confrontation.
He maintained that although the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to protest, that right must be exercised within the confines of the law, particularly in areas subject to security restrictions.
“Protesting and heading towards the State House is not allowed. It’s not allowed under any circumstances; we will not accept it from anybody, and we will deal with you mercilessly if you attempt it again,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay argued that approaching the heavily guarded presidential residence with a group of young protesters, especially at night, could be interpreted as an attempt to commit treason.
“That could be interpreted as you wanting to commit treason, which is not acceptable, and treason in this country is punishable by death,” he said.
The minister dismissed criticism of President Barrow’s remarks, insisting that the president had issued a warning rather than threatened to arrest or harm the lawmaker.
He suggested that the lawmaker could have chosen alternative venues to express his grievances, including the Arch 22 area or a designated public square.
Dr. Ceesay stressed that the government’s position applied to all citizens, insisting that demonstrations directed towards State House would not be tolerated.
However, the minister’s description of such a protest as possibly amounting to treason is an interpretation of the law by the minister, and should not be taken as a judicial determination that marching towards State House per se amounts to treason.
