3 killed, many injured during protest against Gambian President

On Sunday, at least three people died in the Gambian capital Banjul during a demonstration calling for President Adama Barrow to step down, a hospital director said.

“I can confirm that there have been three dead,” Kebba Manneh, director of the Serrekunda hospital where the victims were taken, said.

Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who responded by throwing stones, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.

Red Cross sources said 28 people were taken Sunday to Serrekunda hospital, close to where protesters had gathered in the districts of Old Jeshwang and Stink Corner on the outskirts of Banjul.

Clashes broke out after demonstrators tried to change their itinerary to get closer to the city centre.

“Let’s go and burn everything that belongs to Adama Barrow and his family,” one protestor called out to those alongside him, the AFP reporter heard.

“We will protest until Barrow resigns,” said another who identified himself as Amadou Sanyang. “He is a traitor who betrayed the population’s trust, we are going to teach him a lesson.”

Opposition activists said police had arrested scores of people, including Abdou Njie, leader of the Three Years Jotna (is up) Movement.

Among those arrested were the director of local radio King FM and a radio presenter who had been charged with inciting violence, a station employee told AFP.

The head of another radio station, Digital fm, was also arrested and it was not known where he was being held, Saikou Jammeh, secretary general of Gambia Press Union, told AFP.