The United Democratic Party (UDP) has condemned the heavy-handed policing of demonstrations in the Greater Banjul Area on Wednesday.

In a press statement issued on Friday the party also called for thorough investigation into the death of Serekunda market vendor, Ousman Darboe, who died after an alleged incident involving the police.

“Findings of this investigation should be made public. Should, as the Serrekunda youth claim, the cause of death be related to his arrest, the UDP expects those found wanting to be brought to justice,” the statement said.

The death of Ousman Darboe provoked a spontaneous riot in the Greater Banjul Area on Wednesday by market vendors leading to the ransacking of Bakoteh Police Station and the arson attack on the house of the head of the Police Anti-Crime Unit, Gorgi Mboob.

The UDP statement, which was signed by the party’s spokesman Alimamy Taal, condemned the use of disproportionate use of force by the police against protesters.

“The UDP condemns the excessive use of force and calls on the Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Interior and the National Security Council to ensure that the Police Intervention Unit and Crowd Control teams undergo the necessary skills training to control public gatherings and to ensure order with minimal violence.”

The party also condemned the “violent protests, looting and an arson attack on offices of the anti-crime unit and the home of its Unit head, Mr. Mboob.”

It also calls for Gambians to respect the laws of the country and those in authority while exercising their rights to free assembly.

“As a law abiding Party founded on the principles of the promotion of peace, the UDP recognizes the basic Constitutional rights of Gambians to Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Expression.

“However, the UDP encourages Gambians, particularly youths who wish to assemble and to protest to respect the Constitution, the laws of The Gambia and to demonstrate respect for the authorities.”

The party also urged the Inspector General of Police to issue permits to Gambians who wished to express their rights to free assembly and expression without hindrance.

“The UDP acknowledges that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has the discretion to issue permits. However. UDP encourages the IGP to work towards concrete efforts to widen the space for assembly and for expression as spelt out in the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia.

“Further, the IGP where he cannot issue permits should specify to the requestors why, at that specified period and location, Gambians who wish to express themselves cannot be allowed to do so,” the party said.