In a statement read out to the media, the movement’s secretary general Ebrima Sorie Bah, said the march was supposed to be a counter demonstration against the “so-called Coalition of Progressive Gambians who are bent on engaging in a nationwide demonstration” with or without police permit on 11 November 2022.
He said the members of the planned November 11 demonstration are “taking refuge behind high cost of living and alleged widespread corruption”.
Consequently, SG Bah says the 5 Years group strongly considers the 11th November protest to have been blown out of proportion thus bearing treasonous motives that are potential threat to peace, development and constitutionality in The Gambia.
Therefore, Bah said, the executive committee of the 5 Years group had dropped its plan A of taking to the streets and would remain committed to pursuing an “Advocacy of Stay Home” and advises Gambians to not partake in “the 11thNovember illegal protest”.
He said the 5 Years group decided to take a U-Turn for the following reasons: security threat, potential threat to the tourist season, and the unforeseeable socio-economic negative impact associated with protests.
On behalf of Gambia for 5 Years and Peace Building, the secretary general appealed to all and sundry to stay away from “the treasonous and troublesome 11th November protest”.
Meanwhile, the 11thNovember group, the government, civil societies, religious denominations and the international community are equally called upon to enter into a peaceful negotiated settlement to prevent the planned November 11 protest.
