Members of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) have been arrested in Banjul for protesting the government’s handling of assets linked to former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh.

The group was denied a permit on Wednesday to hold a peaceful protest demanding accountability and transparency, as well as the release of a full list of buyers of Jammeh’s looted assets.

Despite being denied a permit, the group vowed to proceed with their planned protest.

As they gathered in Banjul to stage the protest, the members who showed up were arrested, bundled into a police pickup, and taken to the police headquarters.

One of the protesters, Kemeseng Sanneh, also known as Kexx, said:

“We have been arrested, and we are in a pickup surrounded by paramilitary officers, heading to the police station. We don’t know the reason for our arrest, but we will answer it.

“We are here for The Gambia and for the Gambian people. We are standing for justice and transparency, and we have not broken any law.”

Another arrested protester added: “It is our right to protest, and we will continue to protest. We need answers about the whereabouts of our money. These people are looters.”

By Adama Makasuba