Introduction: A New Generation Demands Accountability
The Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) is a youth-led movement that has emerged as a powerful force against systemic corruption, mismanagement, and government impunity in The Gambia. Formed in response to revelations of stolen public assets and unpunished scandals under President Adama Barrow’s administration, GALA represents a growing wave of young Gambians who refuse to remain silent as their future is plundered by corrupt elites.
Since its inception, GALA has organized mass protests, submitted detailed petitions, and exposed high-level corruption in sectors ranging from football governance to petroleum imports. Their activism highlights not only the failures of the Barrow government but also the devastating impact of corruption on Gambian youth—denied opportunities, quality healthcare, and economic stability due to unchecked graft.
This article explores GALA’s rise, the Barrow administration’s failures, and how corruption is suffocating Gambia’s younger generation.
The Birth of GALA: A Response to Grand Theft
GALA was founded following investigative reports revealing how assets looted under former dictator Yahya Jammeh were sold at undervalued prices to politically connected individuals under Barrow’s watch. The group’s name—Gambians Against Looted Assets—reflects its core mission: demanding transparency in the recovery and management of stolen public wealth.
Key Figures and Mobilization
- Omar Saibo Camara (Spokesperson) and Ebrima Jallow (Secretary-General) have been instrumental in organizing protests and drafting petitions.
- The movement includes students, activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens disillusioned by government inaction.
GALA’s first major protest in May 2025 saw 27 arrests, but the group persisted, leading to a historic July 23, 2025, march where hundreds demanded accountability from key institutions.
How the Barrow Government Has Failed Gambians
1. Corruption Scandals with Zero Accountability
President Barrow’s administration has been marred by multiple corruption scandals, none of which have led to prosecutions:
- $30 Million Petroleum Scandal: Unlicensed firms like Apogee FZC and Creed Energy Ltd. operated in the fuel sector, costing Gambians millions due to regulatory failures by PURA and GRA.
- Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) Scandal: D300 million disappeared from the GPA, yet no arrests were made despite audit reports.
- Russian Oil Scandal: Dubious fuel imports worth millions remain unexplained, with protesters demanding, “We want names and justice!”.
2. The AKI Tragedy: Deaths Without Justice
In 2022, 66 Gambian children died from contaminated cough syrup imported from India. Despite a National Assembly investigation recommending reforms, no one has been prosecuted, and the Medicines Control Agency remains underfunded 113. GALA’s petition demands justice, but Barrow’s government has ignored the victims’ families.
3. Mismanagement of Recovered Jammeh-Era Assets
Instead of returning stolen wealth to the public, the Barrow government sold off Jammeh’s assets—including land, vehicles, and cattle—to allies at suspiciously low prices. GALA’s protests forced the release of an asset list, but full transparency remains elusive.
4. Economic Collapse and Youth Suffering
- Bread prices have risen to D12, while wages stagnate.
- Electricity and water shortages plague households, with NAWEC (National Water and Electricity Company) accused of overcharging for poor services.
- Unemployment among youth is at 37.4%, with few opportunities outside exploitative informal jobs.
5. Democratic Backsliding and Repression
Though Barrow came to power promising reform, his government has:
- Arrested peaceful protesters (May 2025 crackdown).
- Failed to implement constitutional reforms demanded since Jammeh’s ouster.
- Relied on Jammeh-era allies, compromising anti-corruption efforts.
How Corruption Is Killing Gambia’s Youth
1. Stolen Futures: Education and Healthcare Collapse
- Schools lack resources, while corrupt officials embezzle funds meant for education.
- Hospitals lack medicines, forcing patients to buy from private pharmacies at inflated prices.
2. Mass Migration and “Backway” Deaths
With no jobs and rampant corruption, thousands of Gambian youth risk the deadly “Backway” migration route to Europe. Many drown in the Mediterranean—a direct consequence of economic hopelessness.
3. Sports Betting and Drug Abuse as Escapes
With few opportunities, many young Gambians turn to:
- Sports betting, losing meager earnings in a desperate gamble for survival.
- Drug abuse, as mental health services are nonexistent.
4. Political Apathy and Distrust
Many youths feel no political party represents them, leading to disillusionment. GALA’s cross-partisan stance (“We are not attacking institutions; we are demanding they serve the people”) offers an alternative
Conclusion: GALA’s Fight for a New Gambia
GALA represents a generational revolt against a system that has failed Gambians. Their demands—transparency, prosecutions, and institutional reforms—are not just about recovering stolen wealth but ensuring a future where Gambian youth can thrive.
President Barrow’s government has had eight years to deliver change. Instead, corruption has worsened, scandals go unpunished, and young people are left with no jobs, no justice, and no hope.
As GALA’s protests grow, one message is clear: Gambian youth will no longer tolerate leaders who steal their future. The movement’s resilience proves that the fight for accountability is only beginning—and if the government fails to act, the people will demand change by any means necessary.
Sources:
- Alkamba Times: GALA’s July 2025 Protest
- Gambiaj: GALA Petitions on Corruption
- WADR: GALA Defies Protest Ban
- Peoples Dispatch: Mass Arrests of Protesters
- Kerr Fatou: Barrow’s Failures
- GGA: The Gambia’s Economic Crisis
This article synthesizes verified reports to highlight GALA’s struggle and the urgent need for systemic reform in The Gambia. The youth are watching—and they will not be silenced.
