The All People’s Party-Sobeyaa (APP-Sobeyaa) strongly condemns the unlawful arrest and excessive use of force by the Gambia Police Force against peaceful protesters from the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) movement outside the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) on August 22, 2025. These brave youths were rightfully protesting PURA’s directive to GSM companies to increase data bundle prices, a move that undermines the recent massive sales events and significant data cost reductions that brought relief and joy to Gambian consumers.
We are outraged by reports on social media and local platforms highlighting the heavy-handed tactics used to suppress this legitimate demonstration. The arrest of citizens voicing their opposition to PURA’s anti-consumer policies, which favour corporate interests over the welfare of ordinary Gambians, is a blatant violation of their constitutional right to freedom of assembly and expression.
APP-Sobeyaa demands the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees arrested during today’s protest. We urge the Barrow administration and PURA to reverse this unjust directive and engage in transparent dialogue with the people, rooted in mutual respect and a commitment to democratic principles. The government must prioritise the interests of Gambians, particularly the youth, who rely on affordable data access for education, business, and connectivity in an increasingly digital world.
We stand in solidarity with GALA and all Gambians resisting policies that burden our citizens. The voices of our youth must be heard, not silenced. Let us build a Gambia where public institutions serve the people, not suppress them, and where democratic freedoms are upheld.
Essa Mbye Faal
Secretary General & Party Leader,
APP-Sobeyaa
August 22, 2025
