Police have been asked by civil society organisation Centre for Research and Policy Development to distance themselves from comments by President Adama Barrow he would ban all political activities after the December election.
“In the same vein, the CRPD has also called on the Gambia Police Force to distance itself from such reckless remarks and unlawful directives,” CRPD said while condemning the president’s comments on Monday.
It added: “We urged the Police to remain in the service of the nation following the dictates of the law and constitution. The participation of political of parties and citizenry in the political process is central to democracy and therefore any attempt to limit or control this participation would undermine Gambia’s democratic consolidation.
“Members of thePolice are expected to protect life and property and should not, in anyway, allow themselves to be an impediment to the growth of democracy in the country. It is also time for The Gambia Police Force to unequivocally conduct itself as professional, a pro-democracy rule of law institution that respects and upholds the rule of law.”
