Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice

14/05/2026

Celebrating the Legacy of Edward Francis Small

We are pleased to share this melodious video celebrating the life and legacy of Edward Francis Small, the Watchdog of The Gambia.

As we honour EF Small, we urge all citizens to embrace and uphold the principles of independence, democracy, justice, and human rights that he embodied. Let us defend the Constitution and the Republic by responsibly exercising our rights and duties, holding the State and all public institutions accountable, and fostering national unity, peace, justice, and equality for all.

Disclaimer: EFSCRJ is not the producer of this video.

12/05/2026

12/05/2026

Monitoring Police Conduct

Police Officers with Arms and Face Masks

The increasing deployment of armed police officers carrying rifles and wearing face masks during public assemblies is deeply concerning. Public assemblies in the Gambia are civilian activities involving unarmed citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

In most, if not all of these gatherings, there is no indication of rioting, armed violence, or any threat that would justify the visible deployment of heavily armed officers carrying guns, presumably loaded with live ammunition. Such a posture is not only inappropriate but also dangerous and intimidating.

The primary duty of the police is to maintain law and order through the protection of rights and freedoms. Policing must therefore be proportionate, necessary, and grounded in professionalism. The visible presence of assault rifles at peaceful assemblies sends the wrong message to the public, creates fear and anxiety, and escalates tension unnecessarily. Rather than building trust and cooperation with communities, it projects intimidation and coercion.

Our national history provides painful reminders of the consequences of deploying armed security personnel with live rounds against civilians. The April 2000 student massacre and the Faraba Banta incident in 2018 both resulted in tragic shootings, deaths, and injuries to innocent citizens. These incidents remain stark examples of the grave dangers posed when law enforcement adopts militarized responses to civilian protests and public gatherings.

Equally troubling is the use of face masks by police officers during these operations. Police officers operate among the public and must therefore remain clearly identifiable at all times. Concealing their identities undermines transparency and accountability, especially in situations where abuse of power or violations of rights may occur. Masks create unnecessary distance between the police and the communities they serve while making accountability difficult, if not impossible.

EFSCRJ therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police to immediately end the deployment of masked and heavily armed officers at peaceful public assemblies except in situations where there is a clear, credible, and imminent threat of armed violence.

We further urge the Police to adopt body cameras during public order operations to strengthen transparency and accountability. Ensuring that officers are identifiable and their actions recorded will promote professionalism, lawful conduct, and responsible policing consistent with democratic standards and human rights principles.

2026 – The Year of Empowerment

West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
European Union in The Gambia
Africans Rising
Amnesty International Africa
Amnesty International
Ecowas - Cedeao
African Union

12/05/2026

Monitoring Police Conduct

The arrest of Mozai Sissoho further confirms the illegality of the police clampdown on GALA on Friday as the group prepared to commemorate its first anniversary. As seen in this short video, Mozai, like all those arrested, was peaceful and offered no resistance. Even as they were being arrested, they calmly asserted their rights, explained the purpose of their gathering, and highlighted the unlawful nature of the police action.

We are particularly concerned that many of the armed police officers concealed their identities with face masks. In the absence of body cameras, hidden faces create conditions for abuse without accountability, thereby fostering impunity.

We call on the IGP to immediately withdraw the charges against the youths and uphold the law and constitutional rights of citizens. We further demand an independent investigation into the police operation against the group, including the denial of access to a venue for which lawful approval had already been secured.

2026 - The Year of Empowerment

12/05/2026

Our Executive Director, Madi Jobarteh, spoke outside the Kanifing Courthouse on the illegal arrest and unlawful arraignment of GALA members. He delivered a firm warning to public officials and authorities that no one is above the law and that accountability is inevitable, whether today or tomorrow.

He reminded those in positions of authority that public office is an honour entrusted to them by the people, while sovereign power belongs solely to the people. He stressed that authority must be exercised lawfully, ethically, and with full respect for rights and justice, while invoking the spirit of the “Never Again” agenda and the lessons of our history.

11/05/2026

EFSCRJ Statement on the Release of GALA 14

EFSCRJ notes the release today, May 11, of members of GALA from what we consider to have been their unlawful detention. We strongly condemn both their illegal arrest and prolonged detention, and further deplore the decision to subject these young citizens to a court process based on the questionable charges of unlawful assembly and common nuisance.

In our view, the arraignment of these youths appears to be an attempt to legitimize the unlawful conduct of the police, thereby undermining the very essence of justice and due process.

EFSCRJ will formally write to the Inspector General of Police demanding the immediate withdrawal of all charges and the full restoration of the freedoms and rights of the youths concerned.

We categorically state that this is a retaliatory case orchestrated against GALA because of its consistent and courageous efforts to expose corruption, abuse of power, police brutality, and official misconduct.

GALA is being targeted for demanding transparency and accountability, and this prosecution appears intended to intimidate and silence the movement in order to shield corrupt officials and human rights violators from scrutiny.

We therefore remind the IGP that public office must never be personalized to settle scores or serve the interests of selected politicians or public officials. We unequivocally condemn these actions against GALA and call on the IGP to uphold the law impartially, professionally, and justly.

We further urge all Gambians to recognize that the struggle for transparency, accountability, and good governance is not the responsibility of one organization alone, but a collective national duty. We therefore call on citizens to stand in solidarity with GALA and to support all lawful efforts aimed at strengthening democratic governance, justice, and accountability in The Gambia.

EFSCRJ remains vigilant and steadfast in defense of the Constitution and the Republic, in keeping with the enduring legacy of Edward Francis Small.

2026 - The Year of Empowerment

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European Union in The Gambia
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
Africans Rising
UNDP The Gambia
Amnesty International Africa
African Union
Ecowas - Cedeao
UN Human Rights Council
Amnesty International
Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services - The Gambia

11/05/2026

EFSCRJ Calls for Seedy SK Njie to be Held Accountable

EFSCRJ strongly condemns the tribalistic, unconstitutional and dangerous comments attributed to Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie in a leaked audio recording. His admitted interference in public institutions, intimidation of public officials, and attacks based on ethnicity and party affiliation violate the Constitution, undermine separation of powers, and threaten national unity and democratic governance.

As Deputy Speaker and an Executive Member of the ruling NPP, his words and actions carry enormous institutional and political weight and therefore cannot be ignored or normalized.

EFSCRJ calls on the National Assembly, the NPP, and the Inter-Party Committee to take immediate action to hold Seedy Njie accountable in order to protect the rule of law, preserve the dignity of public institutions, and safeguard peace and national cohesion.