The Gambian government on Thursday held an emergency cabinet session, presided over by President Adama Barrow, to discuss matters relating to Sunday’s protest.
137 Gambians were arrested during the protest, organized by pressure group ‘3 Years Jotna’ on Sunday in Kanifing.
On Wednesday, Police charged all eight leaders with three counts of unlawful assembly, rioting and demolishing structures.
When the case was called before Magistrate Pierrette Mendy Sarr of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday she transferred it to the Special Criminal Court Division at the High Court in Banjul, saying the court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.
The accused, Abdou Njie, Yankuba Darboe, Ebrima Kitim Jarju, Sheriffo Sonko, Fanta Mballow, Kassim Touray, Haji Suwaneh, and Muctarr Ceesay, are charged with unlawful assembly, contrary to Section 70 of the Criminal Code, cap 10:o1 Vol III Laws of The Gambia 2009, rioting after proclamation contrary to Section 74 of the Criminal Code, cap 10:01 Vol III Laws of The Gambia 2009, rioters demolishing structures, contrary to Section 76 of the Criminal Code cap 10:01 Vol III Laws of The Gambia .
Speaking to State House media team after the session on Thursday, the Gambian Information and Communication Minister, Ebrima Sillah, said the cabinet session called for calm and reinforced Gambia’s commitment to democratic principles it considers “sacred.”
The government called on all Gambians to remain calm, assuring them that the situation is under complete control.
“We want to assure the international community of our sacred duty to be committed to democratic principles and that the Gambian government will continue to be engaged in those sacred principles. The Gambia is calm, peaceful and we call on the Gambian people to support the government in that direction to ensure that we sustain the peace in this country,” he said.
