Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP), led by party leader Ousainou Darboe, Chairman Yankuba Darboe, and Mayoress Rohey Malick Lowe, on Tuesday took to the streets in a procession to commemorate the life and legacy of Ebrima Solo Sandeng, marking the anniversary of his death.
The march, attended by dozens of sympathizers, formed part of activities to observe Sandeng’s Memorial Day. Widely regarded as a martyr of democracy in The Gambia, Sandeng’s arrest and subsequent death in April 2016 became a turning point in the country’s political history.
It intensified both domestic and international pressure on the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh, which ultimately led to his electoral defeat later that year.
A Martyr Remembered
Sandeng, then a leading youth activist of the UDP, was arrested on April 14, 2016, after leading a peaceful protest in Serrekunda calling for electoral reforms. He was detained along with more than 20 others.
Reports later confirmed that he was subjected to severe torture while in custody at the National Intelligence Agency, injuries that proved fatal.
In the days following his arrest, Sandeng’s family searched frantically for him, moving between police stations, Mile 2 Prison, and the NIA headquarters, only to be met with repeated denials of his detention.
Rumors of his condition began circulating online, culminating in confirmation of his death by Ousainou Darboe in the early hours of April 16.
Solo Sandeng at Westfield, shortly before his arrest
News of his death sparked immediate outrage. Family members, including his children, joined UDP supporters in protests demanding answers, chanting calls for his release “dead or alive.” Security forces responded with force, dispersing demonstrators using batons and teargas.
Fearing further reprisals, Sandeng’s family went into hiding before eventually fleeing the country.
At the time, relatives of other protesters had reportedly been arrested, and security forces were said to be monitoring the Sandeng family home.
The government of Yahya Jammeh initially failed to acknowledge Sandeng’s death, only confirming weeks later that a detainee had died in custody.
In a controversial statement, then-President Jammeh dismissed calls for an investigation.
“People die in custody or during interrogations, it’s really common. This time, there is only one dead and they want investigations? No one can tell me what to do in my country,” Yahya Jammeh said.
It was not until June 2016 that authorities formally acknowledged Sandeng’s death in a court affidavit, attributing it to shock and respiratory failure – an explanation widely disputed by rights groups and the family and completely dismantled through testimonies at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
A group of culprits in the torture and killing of Sandeng, including the then director of NIA, have since been convicted and jailed at Mile Two Central Prisons.
From Tragedy to National Reckoning
Years later, in January 2023, Sandeng was accorded a state-recognized funeral, with hundreds gathering at Arch 22 in Banjul to pay their respects. The ceremony marked a symbolic moment of national reckoning, as officials acknowledged his role in the struggle for democracy.
The Attorney General, speaking on behalf of President Adama Barrow, described Sandeng as a man who died fighting for freedom and justice, noting that those responsible for his death had since been convicted and sentenced.
Family members, however, have continued to reflect on the personal cost of his loss. His son, Muhammed Sandeng, has publicly questioned whether the ideals his father died for have been fully realized, highlighting the enduring impact of his death on the family.
Tuesday’s procession underscored the continued political and emotional significance of Sandeng’s legacy, as supporters renewed calls to remember his sacrifice and uphold the democratic values for which he stood.
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