Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Following a day of emotionally charged but ultimately peaceful demonstrations at the Westfield Youth Monument, the Gambia Police Force has acknowledged the orderly nature of the protest. The gathering, themed “Free the Youths,” saw young people voicing their concerns over the recent arrest and charging of 27 individuals who attempted to protest earlier at Arch 22 regarding the recovery of assets linked to the former regime.

Friday’s demonstration drew a bigger number of participants who passionately called for the release of those detained on Thursday, at Arch 22 in Banjul, when protestors asked for the accountability of state assets allegedly looted under the former regime of Yahya Jammeh.

On Friday, demonstrators gathered once again to demand the immediate release of the detained individuals during the initial demonstration and to amplify calls for government action on alleged financial crimes committed during the previous administration.

Protesters chanted slogans and carried placards as they assembled under the watchful eye of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).

In response to the demonstration, officers from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) were present at Westfield. However, their role remained one of ensuring public safety and maintaining order.

Sources at the scene confirmed that the police maintained a professional demeanor and engaged constructively with the organizers of the protest. This approach seemingly contributed to the peaceful conduct of the demonstrators, who largely adhered to calls for calm despite the intensity of their demands.

In a statement released shortly after the conclusion of the protest, the Gambia Police Force explicitly recognized the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The statement further assured the public of the police’s commitment to upholding these rights within the legal framework.

This acknowledgment marks a notable point, as it confirms the police’s assessment that today’s demonstration did not cross the line into unlawful assembly, unlike the police’s previous violent intervention at Arch 22.

While acknowledging the peaceful nature of the Westfield protest, the police statement also reiterated that investigations into the 27 individuals arrested in connection with the earlier attempted protest are still ongoing. The GPF urged the public to continue to be law-abiding and to utilize legal channels for expressing grievances.

The police further committed to keeping the public informed of any developments related to the ongoing investigations, emphasizing transparency and adherence to the rule of law.

While the police have acknowledged the peaceful nature of the Westfield demonstration, the fate of the 27 individuals arrested previously remains uncertain, a matter that is likely to continue to fuel public discourse and calls for justice.