Gambian minister Ceesay raises death penalty over march to State House
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kerr Fatou
Gambian Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay says a protest march towards the presidential residence could be considered an attempted treason, punishable by death. He defends security restrictions around State House and made the remarks in an interview with West Coast Radio.
Gambian Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay said a march towards the presidential residence, particularly at night, could be interpreted as an attempted treason, punishable by death in The Gambia. He was speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Kerr Fatou reports.
Ceesay was defending the warning issued by President Adama Barrow to a United Democratic Party (UDP) MP representing Banjul North after a protest near the residence. The minister said that the approach of a group of young protesters could pose serious security risks. However, he acknowledged the constitutional right to protest, provided the law and security restrictions around the residence are respected.
The minister said protesters could voice their demands in other public places, including Arch 22 or a designated square. He described Barrow’s remarks as a warning, not a threat of arrest or violence. The suggestion that the march could amount to treason is Ceesay’s interpretation, not a judicial ruling.
The comments come amid tensions between the government and the UDP. The opposition party had accused Barrow of running an illegal campaign, while UDP MP Omar Ceesay called on 17 October for the president to be defeated in the 2026 election.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
