Africa-Press – Gambia. The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) has strongly denounced comments made by Minister of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, Ebrima Sillah, in which he called on National People’s Party (NPP) supporters to stage a counter-protest against ongoing peaceful demonstrations by anti-corruption advocates.
In a statement issued over the weekend, CoPG described Minister Sillah’s remarks as “reckless and irresponsible,” noting that they appear to be a direct response to recent mobilization efforts by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA)—a non-partisan civic group campaigning for accountability and transparency in public office.
“The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) strongly condemns the recent actions and utterances of Minister Ebrima Sillah, the current Minister of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure and a senior executive of the National People’s Party (NPP), for calling on party supporters to organize a counter-protest against peaceful anti-corruption advocates,” CoPG said.
The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) has denounced what it described as a “reckless and irresponsible” response by Minister Ebrima Sillah, following a public mobilization effort led by the Gambia Anti-Corruption Legal Advocates (GALA)—an independent civic group dedicated to promoting transparency and exposing corruption.
“Rather than supporting this national call for accountability, Minister Sillah has chosen to defend the corrupt, attack those calling for justice, and incite partisan resistance. At a time when Gambians are crying out for principled leadership and decisive action against graft, it is disgraceful that a public servant would weaponize state affiliation for political defense. This is not only morally bankrupt—it is a betrayal of democratic values and a dangerous abuse of office,” CoPG said.
The following outlines the positions and demands put forward by the Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG).
POSITION:
• The peaceful civic actions led by GALA are lawful, democratic, and necessary.
• Any counter-protest inspired by the NPP or its ministers is a clear attempt to intimidate citizens and suppress dissent.
• Corruption is not a party matter—it is a national crisis. Defending it is complicity.
CoPG DEMANDS:
1. President Adama Barrow must distance himself from Minister Sillah’s remarks and take disciplinary action for this abuse of power.
2. Government must immediately act on citizen petitions demanding investigations into corruption cases and financial mismanagement.
3. The Anti-Corruption Commission must be given the independence and resources it needs to investigate without fear or favor.
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