“I have been on the streets for the past 10 years. What inspired me to get into activism was to protect rights and ensure that corruption is eradicated and accountability and transparency become the cornerstone of governance,” he said.
Camara traced his activism back to the 2018 Occupy National Assembly protest against the supplementary appropriation bill, saying the experience strengthened his resolve to remain active in civic engagement.
The GALA spokesperson also addressed the recent police intervention during the group’s anniversary commemoration at the Youth Monument. He claimed the movement had obtained approval from the municipal authorities but was still stopped by security officers.
“The police action interrupted the whole commemoration,” he stated, saying: “We don’t hate individuals; what we hate is corruption, impunity and disregard for the rule of law.”
Camara admitted that GALA uses both conventional and confrontational advocacy methods, arguing that authorities often force the movement into confrontation.
“We are confrontational partly because the state never wants to go conventional; we cannot watch our rights continually being violated.”
During the interview, Camara sharply criticised President Adama Barrow’s administration, accusing it of “poor management of public resources”.
“Gambia is not poor; it has been poorly managed since 1965,” he contends.
He further claimed that corruption and borrowing continue to affect ordinary Gambians while public officials enjoy luxury benefits funded by the state.
Despite accusations that GALA is confrontational and destabilising, Camara he insists the movement still enjoys broad support from Gambians at home and abroad.
“Movements are built on mass mobilization, and every genuine Gambian that knows our society is corrupt to the core will continue to support GALA,” he stated.
