A group of Senegalese opposition party Pastef supporters were reportedly arrested on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, while protesting outside the Ecole Elementaire de Banjul, a Senegalese-funded school that was opened by His Excellency President Macky Sall of Senegal.

The Pastef supporters, including the Vice President of the Gambia chapter, gathered outside the new school in Banjul while President Sall was presiding over the opening ceremonies. A disagreement broke out between the Pastef supporters and President Macky Sall’s supporters, which resulted in the arrests of a number of Pastef supporters and one of the President’s supporters.

The arrestees were taken to the police headquarters, where they had their statements taken. The Pastef supporters were allegedly accused of unlawful protest, and they were then transferred to and detained at the anti-crime unit in Banjulinding. The fate of the single President Sall supporter arrested is unknown at this time.

As of the time of publication, the police have not confirmed or denied the arrests.

President Macky Sall was in the Gambia to attend the third session of the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council.