“How can we negotiate with the government when 44 of our people have been charged by the police?" the coalition stated during a press conference held yesterday.
The group also called for transparency in the presidential committee established to review the recent price floor introduced by the country's regulatory authority. In addition to these demands, the pressure groups vowed to launch a nationwide protest if the government fails to drop the charges and meet their conditions.
"The streets are our office," they declared. "We will now apply for a police permit and protest across the country,” they stated.
It may be recalled that 23 youths who protested against the recent PURA price floor were arrested and charged. Although police bail was offered, the majority declined, demanding unconditional release, something police officials stated is not granted at the station level. A few accepted the bail terms. The group was subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Touray at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, where all were remanded to Mile Two Prison.
Following this development, a crowd of young people gathered in solidarity outside the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, attempting to block police from transporting the detainees to prison. The standoff escalated into a clash, with officers deploying tear gas to disperse the protesters. Many individuals, including passers-by, were affected, resulting in numerous casualties.
Malang Saibo Camara, the spokesperson of GALA, said: “Gambians gathered peacefully at the PURA parking lot to demand the suspension of the newly imposed price floor. The plan was simple: read our petition and collect as many signatures as possible.”
“But that never happened. Security officers, led by PIU Commander Lamin Sarr, stormed the protest and arrested demonstrators with brutal force. For six long days, 44 peaceful citizens were detained at various police stations and at the notorious Mile Two Central Prison. The petition they were denied the chance to present is now available online, where over one thousand people have signed it.”
Camara continued: “The Coalition reminds PURA that, under Section 13 of the PURA Act, its primary duty is ‘to protect the interests of consumers and public utilities’ and ‘monitor and enforce standards of performance by public utilities’. Instead, PURA’s decision prioritises GSM companies at the expense of consumers, undermining affordability without guaranteeing improvements in service quality.”
“We strongly believe this price floor will only make internet access more expensive, without delivering better services.”
“We therefore welcome the timely intervention of the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), which has condemned PURA’s anti-competitive decision and called for its immediate suspension. The GCCPC emphasised that recent tariff wars provided much-needed relief, driving data prices to their lowest levels and making them more affordable for vulnerable consumers and small businesses.”
Camara outlined the coalition’s concerns, stating: “The disadvantages of PURA’s policy include: Digital Exclusion: Low-income Gambians—especially students, women, and rural communities—risk being pushed offline, deepening the digital divide, Educational Setback: Students who rely on affordable data for research, e-learning, and communication will lose access to vital educational resources, Youth Unemployment and Innovation Barriers: Young Gambians working in freelancing, tech, and creative industries will be locked out of global opportunities, stifling innovation and job creation.”
He added that civic engagement and governance would also suffer: “Citizens’ ability to access news, monitor government activity, and participate in civic life online will be severely undermined.”
“If PURA truly intended to protect the public interest, it would have pursued a price ceiling to cap costs while demanding improved service quality from GSM companies. Instead, it has chosen a regressive path.”
“Consumer protection must be rooted in fairness, equity, and justice. The real test of regulation is how well it safeguards the most vulnerable, but not how comfortably it serves the interests of a few powerful companies.”
Yusuf Taylor, from Team Gom Sa Bopa, added: “Since the introduction of the price floor on 22 August, affordable promotional data bundles have disappeared. The cheapest available plan is now D50 per 1GB—up from D13—a staggering 275% increase. This hike has already caused serious and lasting hardship for Gambians in just a matter of weeks.”
“This decision benefits GSM operators rather than consumers, raising serious questions about the professionalism of the institution and the legality of its decisions.”
“Therefore, we demand the immediate suspension of the price floor and urge the committee to consider introducing a price ceiling to protect consumers.”
Fatou S. Ndure, from the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), warned: “We urge citizens to remain vigilant. If the government continues to suppress civic voices, the civic space will collapse, democratic backsliding will accelerate, and corruption and inefficiency will become entrenched.”
“To prevent this, the Coalition reminds all citizens, and the government in particular of its obligations under the Constitution and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to protect citizens’ rights, not suppress them.”
“The arrest and persecution of these youths is unjust, unlawful, and undemocratic. The Gambia cannot claim to be a democracy while silencing dissent and protecting those who abuse power.”
“We stand in solidarity with the 44 youths and all Gambians who peacefully demand accountability and good governance. We demand transparency and accountability now.”
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