Twelve participants in what the authorities describe as a “unauthorised” procession on April 19th have been arrested by the Gambia’s police. The youth organisations Niumi Hand and Gambia Participate submitted a permit request on April 17th, but it was denied by the Inspector General of Police, which resulted to the arrests.

“Office of the Inspector General of Police denied a permit for the procession to the youth groups Niumi Hand & Gambia Participate on April 17th,” the police said in a statement. The young people from both groups chose to move forward independently in spite of the denial, according to the police.

Four persons were taken into custody in Niumi and eight in Banjul, according to a police statement. In order to ascertain the proper charges, the inmates are presently undergoing processing.