Gambian protesters blocked the entrance to the Gambian Embassy for almost 4 hours on Monday, 11 November 2013, as dozens answered to the call to the street by the Campaign for Democratic Change Gambia (CDCG). The demonstration was staged in response to Yahya Jammeh’s recent irresponsible statements and unilateral and unconstitutional decision to withdraw the Gambia from the Commonwealth of Nations; explained a press release from the CDCG on 30 October 2013. The date further coincides with the 19th commemoration of the extra-judicial killings of the November 11, 1994 coupists in the Gambia, which was led by late Lt. Basiru Barrow.In response, dozens of Gambians living in the United Kingdom attended the protest. The protesters were initially gathered at the iconic landmark of London’s Trafalgar square in Central London. From there the demonstrators took a train hop on the London underground service to get to the Gambian embassy, situated at: 92 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2AH.
On arrival at the embassy, the demonstrators met members of Metropolitan Police Diplomatic protection team, who were on the ground before their arrival. As a result, they were not able to enter into the Gambian Embassy to lay siege inside. However, their presence at the front of the embassy has disrupted business as usual at the embassy, as none was able to enter into the building for at least 4 hours. The embassy staffs were opening their doors to only the police officers on guard.
A Portuguese citizen, who had a visa application appointment at the Embassy on the day, was not allowed in, as the embassy staffs were scared to open their doors. One would assume that they fear a repeat of the September 2012 demonstrations, when the embassy staffs were caught off guarded. They opened their doors to the demonstrators, only to find their offices invaded by the storming crusaders, sending the terrified ambassador and staffs to the second and third floor of the building.
The demonstrators chanted: “Jammeh Must Go; Down Down Dictator; we are Gambians; we don’t want Yahya Jammeh; Go to hell Yahya Jammeh”.
Mr Yanks Darboe, a practicing Solicitor in the United Kingdom and member of the CDCG, explained the main reason for their coming out is to prove to Yahya Jammeh that they will not be cowed by his threats. Mr Darboe explained that Gambians are peaceful people and will sacrifice all for peace. “However such sacrifice should not be misinterpreted as a weakness or cowardice”; he posited. He explained, if Gambians are given the same opportunity enjoyed by Jammeh, in terms of weapons, Gambians will flush Jammeh out in a minute.
Mr Darboe expressed that they will continue on their demonstrations to shed light on the plight of the Gambian people and will continue the same until “we see the end of this regime”; he promised. He expressed that their protests further augment similar staged by Gambians in New York and Washington DC.