The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, has said there is no evidence linking the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) or any other group to Monday’s student protest at the University of The Gambia (UTG).
Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Dr Ceesay said the government had no evidence to suggest that the demonstration was politically motivated, noting that students had genuine concerns about conditions on campus.
“I don’t have any evidence to suggest that UDP or anybody else is behind this demonstration,” he said.
The minister identified the lack of catering services, inadequate buses, limited internet access and water supply challenges as the main concerns raised by students.
He said the students had a right to express their grievances, provided their actions remained within the law and were peaceful.
Dr Ceesay said the government had attempted to engage the student leadership before the demonstration but that the planned meeting did not take place because the student representatives failed to attend.
According to him, he and Higher Education Minister Professor Pierre Gomez contacted the student union president ahead of the meeting scheduled for Saturday, but the student body did not show up.
He said the government had nevertheless taken immediate measures to address the concerns, including restoring catering services, improving water and internet access, and deploying all 20 buses operated by the Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC).
The ministry also announced that Professor Gomez would lead a delegation to the Faraba campus to assess progress.
Dr Ceesay also explained why he went to the university during the demonstration, saying a university administrator had contacted him to seek his help in calming the situation.
He said he went without his security detail because of his 15-year relationship with the university, where he continues to teach.
However, he condemned the reported throwing of stones and hostility directed at him, describing such actions as unacceptable while acknowledging the students’ frustration.
The minister also rejected suggestions that the protest reflected the mood of all young Gambians, arguing that students had different political affiliations and concerns.
He defended government investment in higher education, citing the construction of the Faraba campus and scholarship support, which he said benefits about 70 per cent of UTG students.
On media regulation, Dr Ceesay maintained that the government’s intention was to improve professional standards rather than gag journalists, adding that consultations and reforms were ongoing.
