In recent days, our nation has witnessed an alarming and dangerous trend: the use of online platforms to malign, insult, and defame individuals who are merely carrying out their duties to the nation. The latest victim of this toxic culture is Police Superintendent Lamin Sarr, a respected officer whose only “crime” was upholding the rule of law and ensuring public order.
Superintendent Sarr, acting within the bounds of his mandate, dispersed unlawful protesters who sought to disrupt peace and stability. His actions were not personal. They were not political. They were in strict alignment with the laws of The Gambia, laws that safeguard our democracy, protect citizens’ freedoms, and preserve the peace we all cherish.
When protesters ignored repeated warnings to disperse, Superintendent Sarr gave the order for their arrest. This was not an abuse of power—it was a lawful exercise of his authority. Those who defy lawful police orders and persist in unlawful assemblies face arrest and prosecution under Gambian law. That is how a nation governed by law operates. No individual or group has the right to flout the law and then vilify the officers who enforce it.
And yet, instead of being commended for his courage and professionalism, Sarr has become the subject of relentless online harassment. Cyber bullies, hiding behind screens and false bravado, have chosen to defame his character, insult his person, and circulate malicious publications. Let it be stated clearly: those engaged in this online harassment are not exercising freedom of expression—they are committing crimes.
Cyber bullying, online defamation, and the deliberate circulation of falsehoods are prosecutable offenses under Gambian law. More than that, they are also violations of international cybercrime prevention conventions to which The Gambia is a party. Offenders may be held criminally liable, and prosecutions can extend beyond national borders. Those who believe that cyberspace provides them immunity are gravely mistaken. The law is clear: online abuse is a crime, and criminals will face justice.
Freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and movement are indeed sacred rights guaranteed to every Gambian. But these freedoms are not absolute. They come with responsibilities. They must be exercised with respect for truth, for justice, and for the dignity of others. To abuse these freedoms by weaponizing social media against individuals is to betray the very principles of ethical governance and responsible citizenship.
We must be clear: online platforms are not exempt from accountability. They cannot and must not be used as breeding grounds for character assassination. The circulation of defamatory material not only destroys reputations but also undermines trust in our institutions, weakens social cohesion, and threatens the peace we have worked so hard to maintain.
Superintendent Lamin Sarr deserves respect, not ridicule. He represents the many men and women in uniform who stand between order and chaos, often at great personal risk. To vilify such an officer is to vilify the rule of law itself.
We therefore call upon all Gambians—especially those active online—to reflect deeply on the power of their words and the consequences of their actions. We urge the relevant authorities to take firm measures against cyber bullying and defamation, ensuring that our digital spaces remain platforms for constructive dialogue, not weapons of destruction.
Peace-loving Gambians should celebrate officers like Lamin Sarr, who uphold the law with integrity and courage. Let us rise above pettiness, resist the temptation of online mob justice, and instead build a culture of respect, truth, and responsibility—both offline and online.
Because in the end, a nation that allows the destruction of its protectors through defamation will ultimately erode its own peace and stability. And those who believe they can commit crimes in the digital world without consequence should think again—the law is watching, both at home and
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