Activists said the allegations of corruption, and disregard of due process, as well as perceived institutional failures should be properly addressed.
Close to two hundred Gambian activists have taken to Westfield on Sunday to protest against the killings of three natives of Faraba Bantang, a village in the Western Region of Gambia.
Police have last week shot dead three protesters who were asking for a stop to sand mining in their area.
The killing has caused huge international outrage and Gambian leader has commissioned an independent inquiry into the incident.
“Democracy is about the people. We realize if we do not stand up, we will have another years of abuse like the 22 years we have experienced,” said Alieu Bah, one of the leaders of a group call #EnoughisEnough.
The ‘Defadoy’ activism group has met the country’s vice president on Tuesday, a day before they took to the street. The police granted them the permit.
“One of the best tools available to the citizens against the Government is a peaceful protest. It makes the Governments alive to their responsibility,” said Madi Jobarteh, one of the country’s leading activists.
Activists said the allegations of corruption, and disregard of due process, as well as perceived institutional failures should be properly addressed.
They also highlighted the need for the Government to effectively communicate with the general public “as is expected”.
The group said though #Defadoy is “inspired by the horrific events that had unfolded in Faraba Bantang”, it also seeks to address all grievances being faced by all Gambians.
In their statement, the group also called for the repealing of the public order act.
The Defadoy was a very controversial movement that has received lots of criticisms from some people who claims their leaders are seeking attention.
Critics said the timing is not right since it is coming immediately after Faraba death but the organisers have contended that the time to protest is never right.
“We have noted with great concern that the period between which the new government took power and now, is marred by series of occurrences which have the tendency of derailing that which we had fought for,” said the group in a statement on Sunday.
Among the activists who came to the scene was Killer Ace, a Gambian rap artist who was exiled in Senegal under former president Yahya Jammeh.
Other issues the activists are protesting were corruption, environment destruction and they are also calling for security sector reforms.
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