Ebrima Mbaye & Awa Gassama
Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) -Youth Wing has vowed to protest against corruption by holding a procession against corruption revealed in the audit reports of the past years.
The procession is slated for 10th March 2023 commencing at Bond Road Junction (opposite Christian Jah Oil) to the first gate of the National Assembly (opposite Christian Cemetery).
Bubacarr Fulus Drammeh, first Vice President of the UDP National Youth Wing told journalists at the party’s West Field office on Wednesday that the procession will end with a presentation of a petition to the National Assembly and this will be followed by a press briefing.
The primary objective of this procession as indicated in our permit is to call for an investigation into the numerous corruption cases in the country.
“It’s clear to all concerned Gambians that without pressure from the opposition parties and civil society, the current administration will not investigate, prosecute and sanction the authorities for the pilfering of our natural resources “, he said.
He stressed that the protest is organized in a spirit of conciliation and undeterred by maneuvers geared towards frustrated attempts to exercise constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful demonstration, adding that the youth wing decided to accept the less than satisfactory suggestions and hold the procession to further demonstrate the national and the international community it’s loyal and responsible stance.
Mr. Drammeh added that they do hope that future requests for permits will be treated differently and that their proposed itineraries and schedules will be respected and granted as requested.
“This is a fundamental right and the role of the office of the IGP should be restricted to providing security to protect the lives and properties of the demonstrators and the general public and the IGP is not entitled to hold the organizers of the demonstration collectively libel for the individual actions of some demonstrators who could infiltrate the demonstration to serve as agents provocateurs” he advised.
He further highlighted that at the end of the procession, they will hand over the petition to the National Assembly secretariat and the Attorney General.
Hon Bubacarr M. Kinteh who doubles as the incumbent Kartong ward councilor and Secretary of the UDP National Youth Wing appealed to all Gambians to come out and demonstrate peacefully to compel the government to seriously and resolutely combat corruption, mismanagement, and all forms of embezzlement of the country’s natural resources.
