Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) has confirmed that its emergency teams provided urgent first aid and humanitarian assistance to several people injured or affected during Monday’s unrest surrounding the court appearance of 16 Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) protesters.
According to a statement released by the GRCS, casualties were rushed to its headquarters, where the GPlus Gambia Emergency Medical Service Team and volunteers attended to bystanders, journalists, security personnel, and vulnerable individuals, including an elderly woman and a mother with her infant.
“Guided by our Fundamental Principles, the Gambia Red Cross Society remains neutral and committed to protecting life and dignity in times of crisis, placing Humanity First at all times,” the humanitarian body emphasized.
The development followed chaotic scenes earlier in the day, when police fired tear gas outside the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court as supporters, activists, and onlookers gathered for the high-profile trial.
Prominent activist Madi Jobarteh was among those affected and had to receive treatment at a local clinic.
Meanwhile, police intensified arrests linked to the protests. GALA spokesperson Omar Saibo Camara, activist Omar Sanyang, and two others were first detained at Kairaba Police Station before being transferred to Kotu and later escorted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further questioning.
Security sources also confirmed the arrest of about 21 youths as a result of the Kanifing Court fallout.
In a separate incident, renowned environmentalist Kemo Fatty and a group of young men and women were intercepted while marching from Serrekunda toward the National Assembly. The group was stopped as it reached Mile Two and has since been detained.
The arrests and injuries have sparked concerns among civil society groups and human rights advocates, who warn that the handling of peaceful dissent risks heightening political tensions.
GALA had organized Friday’s protest near the headquarters of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to denounce what it described as corruption and mismanagement, but police declared the demonstration unlawful, leading to the arrest of the 16 protesters currently facing trial for unlawful assembly.
