Clearing the Misconceptions: Understanding the Police Intervention

Mai Ahmad Fatty

Recent events surrounding the aborted protest at the headquarters of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) have sparked a wave of commentary, much of it driven by speculation and misinformation. To provide clarity, it is important to separate fact from perception and examine the situation from a legal and civic perspective. First, let us address some of the misleading claims circulating: The police did not act to enforce PURA-approved data tariffs. The police did not intervene to shield the commercial interests of GSM companies. The police did not suppress the protest out of a desire to deny citizens their rights. The police did not act to appease the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). Such assertions are unfounded and amount to deliberate disinformation aimed at undermining public trust in law enforcement. The Legal and Practical Context The choice of protest venue raised legitimate concerns. The PURA building also houses a commercial bank and private offices. Any obstruction could have impeded access to these facilities, caused fear among occupants, and disrupted essential services such as ATMs. Additionally, the site is located next to a foreign diplomatic mission, which carries special protections under international law. Any breakdown of order in such proximity could have serious consequences. A fundamental principle of democracy is that the right to protest does not override the rights of others to access public facilities or private businesses. Peaceful assembly is protected, but obstruction of public life is not. Courts worldwide have consistently upheld this distinction. The Police Mandate Based on these principles, the police had legal grounds to intervene when there was a strong likelihood of disruption. However, intervention should always follow recognized standards: Warnings first: Protesters should be given the chance to relocate. Minimal force: Only the force necessary to restore order should be applied. This approach balances competing rights — protecting freedom of expression while safeguarding access to businesses, public services, and roadways. The Broader Implications The protest site was in the heart of a busy commercial district, along Pipeline Road, one of the country’s most vital highways. The risk of major disruption was undeniable. Well-trained police forces around the world often manage such situations by designating alternative protest areas, a step that should have been part of the organizers’ planning. Civil society organizations, such as the E.F. Small Center, have raised legitimate concerns. These voices are essential in a democracy. Yet, the preferred approach is to exhaust dialogue and legal avenues before resorting to the streets. This builds trust and partnership between citizens and law enforcement, while reinforcing respect for the rule of law. The Way Forward The police are tasked with serving and protecting, not oppressing. Protesters, on the other hand, enjoy the right to assemble and speak freely — but always within the boundaries of the law. The guiding principle remains clear: one must either obey the law or be held accountable under it. Ultimately, citizens must recognize that the State and Government are not separate from us — they are us. Peace, law, and order serve everyone’s best interest. Holding public officials accountable must always be done within the framework of legality. May peace prevail in The Gambia. 🇬🇲

GFF Officials Attend CAF Strategic Roundtable in Kampala

By JarraNews Staff Writer

The President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Hon. Lamin Kaba Bajo, and the Federation’s General Secretary, Mr. Lamin Jassey, are currently in Kampala, Uganda, where they joined 18 other representatives of African football federations at the CAF IMPACT Strategic Roundtable. The high-level gathering, convened by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is aimed at strengthening governance and accountability within the sport across the continent. The CAF IMPACT program—described as a flagship initiative—seeks to ensure the proper implementation and utilization of development funds, while promoting transparency, sound financial management, and improved football infrastructure among CAF Member Associations and Zonal Unions.

Speaking after the first day of discussions, General Secretary Jassey highlighted the importance of the forum, noting that it brought together presidents and general secretaries from more than 19 member associations for an engaging roundtable exchange on the future of African football governance. The conference continues in Kampala with deliberations expected to shape reforms and best practices in football administration across Africa.

Respect Our Police – A Call for Unity and Decency

There is a growing and troubling tendency among some Gambians to look down upon our police officers, often dismissing them with the statement: “We pay your salaries.” This mindset is not only disrespectful, but it is also factually misguided and socially dangerous. Let us be fundamentally clear: every civil servant in The Gambia – from teachers to nurses, soldiers to police – is paid through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is made up of taxes and duties contributed by all Gambians, including the very police officers being insulted. In fact, many police officers directly contribute through payroll taxes, indirect taxes on goods and services, and even license and regulatory fees. It is entirely possible that a police officer pays more tax than the very individual who arrogantly claims to “pay his salary.”

The police are not outsiders. They are not strangers “living off the people.” They are our people: our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, uncles, and neighbors. They walk the same streets we do, struggle with the same high costs of living, and share in the same national destiny. Their uniform is not a sign of superiority, but of responsibility – the responsibility to maintain law and order, often at great personal risk. A society that constantly disrespects its law enforcement institutions is a society that invites chaos. We cannot demand safety and peace yet ridicule and undermine those tasked with protecting both. To insult a police officer in uniform is not just an attack on an individual – it is an attack on the very fabric of law and order that holds our nation together. Criticism of misconduct is valid and necessary. Accountability is important. But blanket disrespect, public humiliation, and casual insults toward all police officers are unjust and counterproductive. Respect does not mean blind obedience; it means recognizing their role, their sacrifices, and their shared humanity.

To my fellow Gambians: let us rise above this habit of disdain. Let us treat our uniformed men and women with the same dignity we expect for ourselves. Respecting our police is not about inflating their egos – it is about preserving our peace, strengthening our democracy, and reminding ourselves that we are one people bound by mutual duty and respect. Peace is everybody’s responsibility. Respect is everybody’s duty.

Editorial: The Menace of Cyber Bullying and the Attack on Superintendent Lamin Sarr

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

From Election Hero to Corruption Suspect: Police Recommend Charges Against Njai

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Alieu Momar Njai, the retired election chief once celebrated for presiding over the historic 2016 polls that ended Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule and forced the former dictator into exile, now finds himself at the centre of a corruption storm. Police investigators have recommended that the 91-year-old former chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) face charges of corruption and abuse of office. A ten-month probe, launched after auditors flagged suspicious transfers of over 301 million dalasis into private bank accounts of election returning officers, uncovered widespread financial mismanagement within the Commission. According to investigators, Mr. Njai personally authorised nearly 16 million dalasis in what they describe as unlawful allowances to staff. The report also recommends prosecuting IEC Finance Director Anthony Robert Secka for negligence and for approving irregular transfers of public funds into private accounts. Further findings point to procurement violations and an overpayment to a contractor worth almost $100,000. The police file, now with the Ministry of Justice for legal advice, could mark a dramatic fall from grace for a man once hailed as the guardian of The Gambia’s democratic transition.

Sanyang Remanded as Arson Case Heads to High Court

Radio Interview Lands Sanyang in Mile II

By JarraNews Staff Writer

KANIFING, August 22, 2025 — A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court yesterday when Abdoulie Sanyang, who recently made controversial remarks on Coffee Time with West Coast Radio, was hit with four serious criminal charges and ordered remanded at Mile II Central Prison. Sanyang is accused of Arson, Seditious Intention, Incitement to Violence, and Obstruction of Judicial Proceedings under the Criminal Offences Act 2025. Of these, Arson — a capital offence carrying life imprisonment — dominated court arguments, as it stripped the Magistrates’ Court of jurisdiction. Acting Principal Magistrate Thomas Touray presided over the arraignment, where prosecutors pressed for the case to be sent to the High Court. They argued that although three of the counts could technically be tried before the Magistrates’ Court, all four should move together. The State further stressed that under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Arson is non-bailable, and urged the court to remand the accused while awaiting trial. The application was granted in full: all charges were transferred to the High Court, and Sanyang was ordered to remain in custody at Mile II. This ruling marks the beginning of what could become one of the most closely watched trials of the year, given the gravity of the charges and the high-profile platform where the alleged offences originated.