Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) has suspended all open-air music and public entertainment events within the Tourism Development Area (TDA), including beach events, with immediate effect.
The suspension covers concerts, open-air music events, beach parties, festivals, and other public entertainment activities held within the TDA.
In a press release, GTBoard said the measure was precautionary and aimed at safeguarding the tourism industry, maintaining public order, and protecting the safety and security of tourists, residents, workers, businesses, and the wider public.
“The Gambia Tourism Board hereby informs the general public, event organizers, entertainment establishments, visitors, and other stakeholders that, with immediate effect, all open-air music and public entertainment events within the Tourism Development Area (TDA), including events held on beaches, are suspended until further notice,” the Board said.
GTBoard directed event organizers and promoters to comply with the suspension and urged stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and other relevant authorities.
The Board said it would monitor the situation in consultation with security agencies, tourism stakeholders, local authorities, and other partners.
It added that any decision to review or lift the suspension would be communicated through official channels.
Jobarteh Questions Basis of Suspension
The directive has drawn criticism from human rights activist Madi Jobarteh, who questioned the basis and scope of the suspension and described the indefinite ban as “draconian.”
“What justifies the Gambia Tourism Board’s decision to suspend open-air music and public entertainment events throughout the Tourism Development Area (TDA)?” Jobarteh asked.
He said that while GTBoard had cited security concerns, the Board had not identified a specific threat, explained the risk assessment behind the decision, or provided evidence to justify what he described as an indefinite blanket suspension.
“Invoking security does not relieve a public institution of its responsibility to explain and justify its decisions,” he said.
Jobarteh also argued that entertainment is an important component of the tourism sector, particularly around the beaches, where concerts, festivals, and beach parties attract visitors and provide livelihoods for musicians, DJs, promoters, vendors, and hospitality workers.
“How does GTBoard intend to safeguard tourism by shutting down an important part of it?” he asked.
Calls for Clarity and Targeted Measures
Jobarteh questioned whether the directive applies to entertainment activities at hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and roadside businesses within the TDA, and whether indoor entertainment is also affected.
“Businesses should not have to guess whether their activities are prohibited or depend on the interpretation of individual enforcement officers,” he said.
Rather than a blanket suspension, Jobarteh called for targeted security measures, including stronger Tourism Security Unit patrols, improved incident response, expanded CCTV coverage, better beach lighting, and clear security requirements for event organizers.
He also criticized the absence of a clear timeline for reviewing the suspension, saying affected businesses and workers should be given a review date, published criteria for lifting the restrictions, and regular public updates.
“In my view, this indefinite blanket ban is draconian, counterproductive, and indicative of a failure of leadership. The TDA requires competent management and effective security,” Jobarteh said.
He urged GTBoard to disclose the legal basis for the directive, clearly define the activities covered, and explain how and when the suspension would be reviewed.
Jobarteh maintained that where offenses occur, law enforcement should target those responsible rather than impose broad restrictions on law-abiding businesses and workers.
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