The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has announced that individuals arrested during an unauthorised protest organised by the group Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) are being processed for release.

In a statement issued today, the police said administrative procedures for their release are currently underway and expected to be completed shortly.

The detainees were arrested for participating in a protest on Thursday after the Office of the Inspector General of Police denied GALA a permit to demonstrate. The group had planned to protest the government’s handling of former President Yahya Jammeh’s seized assets and demand transparency in the sale of those properties.

The GPF emphasised that while it respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, all such activities must adhere to the laws of The Gambia. It warned that any future attempts to hold unauthorised protests would be addressed in accordance with legal provisions.

The protest and arrests have sparked widespread criticism from civil society and opposition leaders, who argue that the right to peaceful protest is being suppressed.