Civil society organizations have expressed strong disapproval regarding the arrest and prosecution of 44 young Gambians after a protest against the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) contentious decision to implement a D50 minimum tariff per gigabyte of mobile data.
On Tuesday, Fatou Ndour, Human Rights Monitoring Officer at the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFCRJ), issued a joint statement on behalf of the coalition, which comprises Team Gom Sa Bopa and Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA).
On August 22, 2025, the coalition noted that the three groups held a peaceful demonstration at PURA’s car park in Banjul. They protested against what they termed a “unjust and prohibitive” tariff hike that raised internet costs by as much as 275 percent, significantly impacting students and small businesses.
The groups reported that riot police forcibly dispersed the protest, resulting in the arrest of 19 demonstrators on August 23. Later, four others were detained at Westfield while showing support for those who had been arrested.
On August 25, all 23 individuals were arraigned before Magistrate Touray and charged under Section 5(5) of the Public Order Act for “Control of Procession.” They entered a plea of not guilty. On that same day, 21 more young individuals were taken into custody during demonstrations opposing what they termed the illegal detention of their peers at Mile 2 Central Prison.
The coalition expressed disapproval of the authorities for not adhering to constitutional protections, highlighting that the accused were not presented before a court within the 72-hour timeframe mandated by Section 19 of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution.
“It is crucial to highlight that the accused were not brought before the court within the 72-hour timeframe mandated by section 19 of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution.” Furthermore, the youth’s response was triggered by the decision to remand approximately 23 individuals in Mile 2 for offenses that are bailable and could only be characterized as minor at most,” Ndour remarked.
She stated, “We firmly believe this punishment contradicts the principles of common law, which assumes every accused individual is innocent until proven guilty.” “The decision to remand 23 youths in Mile 2 for more than three days, despite their lack of any prior convictions, suggests a violation of their right to liberty, which we view as a significant failure in the state’s responsibility to protect its citizens,” she stated.
The groups contend that all 44 detainees are currently facing charges of unlawful possession, unlawful assembly, and idle loitering—claims they assert constitute political persecution.
The state was further accused of exhibiting double standards, as it was noted that public officials involved in corruption and audit scandals have not been prosecuted, whereas young citizens seeking accountability are being criminalized.
“It is important to note that comparable gatherings and political assemblies have been permitted to occur without permits or interference, underscoring a concerning inconsistency in the application of the law.” The presence of inconsistency and bias poses a significant risk to national unity, peace, and security.
The coalition presented the subsequent demands:
- Immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against the 44 youths.
- Respect for the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest.
- An independent review of PURA’s operations and greater accountability to citizens.
- Equal application of the law, including action against public officials accused of corruption.
Ndour concluded that the arrests and persecution of 44 young Gambians protesting against PURA’s data floor price signify a broader issue beyond a singular demonstration. “These actions present significant threats to the democratic framework, civic environment, and accountability mechanisms in The Gambia.”
