Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Opposition National Assembly Members (NAMs) from the United Democratic Party (UDP) have announced they will boycott tomorrow’s highly anticipated government budget speech in Parliament. The decision comes in protest against the police action and detention of senior party executive andlawyer Borryy S. Touray, who was charged earlier today with “Incitement to Violence.”
The boycott was confirmed late this evening by Yankuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council and a senior UDP executive, who celebrated the move on social media.
“Thank you to our NAMs, all our UDP MPs will boycott tomorrow’s budget speech in protest against the police brutality meted out on our comrade patriot and senior Lawyer, Borry S Touray! We demand his unconditional release!” Chairman Darboe posted.
Earlier in the evening, Darboe had issued a radical call for the boycott, urging the party’s elected representatives to join a demonstration instead of attending the parliamentary session. “We are calling on all UDP MPs to boycott tomorrow’s budget speech at Parliament and join us at Police HQ!” he declared, following the police’s refusal to release Mr. Touray on bail.
Police Charge Executive Member
The protest stems from the charging of Mr. Borry S. Touray by The Gambia Police Force (GPF) earlier today, Thursday, December 4, 2025. He was formally charged under Section 58 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025, which pertains to incitement to violence.
According to a press statement released by the GPF, Mr. Touray was summoned to the Police Headquarters in Banjul, where he was “confronted with statements he made that constitute incitement to violence.” The police stated that the engagement was part of an active inquiry into public remarks made by Mr. Touray during a recent rally, which authorities allege are “capable of provoking unrest or undermining public safety.”
The GPF stressed the seriousness of the offense and warned the public that such conduct would be addressed with the “full force of the law.”
Supporters Gather in Protest
Following the executive member’s summons, supporters of the UDP gathered outside the Police Headquarters.
Protesters accused the authorities of engaging in political targeting, pointing out that militants affiliated with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) had allegedly made similar public comments without facing legal consequences.
The police statement concluded by assuring the public that further updates would be provided as the inquiry progresses.
The boycott means that the main opposition bloc will be absent for one of the most significant government addresses of the year, amplifying the political tension surrounding Lawyer Touray’s case and marking a high-profile escalation between the UDP and the government.
