Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- In response to the government of the Gambia’s call for the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) to avoid protesting on the streets and engage in dialogue, GALA confirmed being open for dialogue but believes that they cannot abandon the streets.
Earlier on Friday, the government held a press conference to respond to the petition received from GALA on issues of national interest.
During that press conference, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister for Information, Media and Broadcast told the gathering that his government is open for dialogue with GALA and any other citizen.
“Let us solve our problems in discussion rooms rather than in the streets because it will be of nobody’s interest. That is what we are planning as a government. We want to engage every citizen, be it GALA, be it anybody as long as we are citizens, we are concerned,” Dr. Ceesay told the gathering.
In response Omar Saibo Camara, the spokesperson of GALA welcomed the idea of dialogue but stressed that they will go to the streets if the language of the dialogue is not in line with that of the citizens.
“You see, when they (Ministers) were talking, they wanted to make it look like GALA should abandon protest for dialogue. Protest itself is dialogue. The way their offices are in the Marina Parade, the way their offices are all over, it is the same way GALA offices are in the streets. And we are not abandoning the streets. We will accept dialogue, but we are not abandoning the streets,” Mr. Camara responded.
The GALA spokespersons believed that it is not for the government to determine when they should take to the streets and when they should accept to dialogue with them.
Mr. Camara said that is entirely for GALA to decide, not the government. He continued that: when there is a necessity to take to the streets, we will take to the streets. And if there is a necessity to even sit at the statehouse and dialogue with them, we will sit at the statehouse and dialogue with them.”
Mr. Camara further told reporters that the government cannot determine when, or how to protest especially when it becomes a necessity in the country.
Mr. Camara also hints at GALA’s next move since the government said they are open for dialogue and also championing certain reforms that GALA is fighting or advocating for.
“What is expected of GALA now is to ensure that we remain within the confines of the law,” he said.
Mr. Camara said GALA must listen to the government, and the government must also listen to GALA if there is room for dialogue so that they can dialogue.
Mr. Camara emphasized that GALA does not hate President Barrow nor his government.
“What GALA hates is corruption, injustice and impunity. And if those things happen, the government wants to dialogue, we will dialogue. But if dialogue doesn’t speak the language that Gambian people want to speak or listen to, we will resort to what actions to take to end it,” Mr. Camara told journalists.
The GALA spokesperson reiterated their stance on the issue of dialogue saying”we will dialogue, but dialogue does not just mean on the table. Dialogue is on the streets. Dialogue is on TV. At the end of the day, hearing each other, conversing from distance is still dialogue. And GALA has every way to get to them (government).”
“Protest is dialogue, and any other way. What we cannot abandon is the streets nor who determines when and how we should take to the streets,” he stressed.
