Ten Years After Solo Sandeng, Rights Group Warns of Democratic Backsliding in The Gambia

Written by: Michaella Faith Wright

On the 10th anniversary of the April 14, 2016 protest, the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has raised alarm over what it describes as growing democratic backsliding in The Gambia, calling for urgent reforms to safeguard the country’s hard-won gains.

Marking a decade since the death of Solo Sandeng and fellow protesters, EFSCRJ said the goals they fought for remain largely unfulfilled despite the 2016 democratic transition.

In a public statement issued on April 14, the Centre honoured Sandeng’s “courage, conviction, and patriotism,” noting that his sacrifice ignited a movement for electoral reform and citizen sovereignty.

However, the organisation warned that while democratic structures exist, their substance is under threat. It cited weak electoral laws, high financial barriers to political participation, and the absence of campaign finance regulations as key concerns undermining electoral integrity.

“Ten years after April 14, the objectives for which Solo Sandeng and his compatriots stood remain largely unfulfilled,” the statement read.

EFSCRJ also raised concerns about the erosion of the rule of law, pointing to non-compliance with court rulings, selective application of justice, and the continued use of restrictive laws to limit freedoms.

The group further criticised corruption, lack of transparency, and the failure to enforce accountability mechanisms, warning that these trends are eroding public trust in governance.

Calling for urgent action, EFSCRJ urged the government, political parties, civil society, and citizens to recommit to democratic principles through institutional reforms, inclusion, and accountability.

“The legacy of Solo Sandeng is not one of remembrance alone, but of responsibility,” the Centre said.