Thousands of Gambians took to the streets on Tuesday in a rare mass protest against President Adama Barrow’s government, accusing it of failing to tackle corruption and address pressing social issues.
The demonstration was organized by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), a youth-led movement formed after investigative reports revealed that assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh were sold at knock-down prices.
The Barrow administration has refused to publish the list of buyers, sparking public outrage.
The looted assets, including over 200 tractors, herds of cattle, real estate, aircraft, 500 vehicles, plots of land and islands, were meant to recover wealth siphoned from state coffers during Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
Protesters carried placards demanding transparency in the sale of the assets and accountability from those in power. Many also voiced frustration over frequent power outages, rising costs of food and university fees, and the government’s failure to implement disability legislation.
Calls for justice were echoed for the families of 66 children who died in 2022 after consuming contaminated cough syrup, a tragedy that drew international condemnation.
The Barrow government has yet to issue an official response to the protest.
