Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANJUL247
2007-05-11 11:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:  

THE GAMBIA: MINOR PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NEAR CAPITAL

Tags:  PGOV PINS ASEC CASC GA 
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VZCZCXRO2357
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHJL #0247 1311141
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111141Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7514
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BANJUL 000247 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DAKAR PLS PASS ODC, DAO, AND RAO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS ASEC CASC GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: MINOR PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NEAR CAPITAL


INCIDENT SPARKED BY YOUTH'S DEATH
----------------------------------

UNCLAS BANJUL 000247

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DAKAR PLS PASS ODC, DAO, AND RAO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS ASEC CASC GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: MINOR PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NEAR CAPITAL


INCIDENT SPARKED BY YOUTH'S DEATH
--------------


1. (SBU) Corroborating media reports, our sources report
that on the evening of May 9, police in the Banjul suburb of
Serrekunda raided a hangout known to be frequented by youths
engaged in smoking cannabis and mugging passers-by. The raid
resulted in the detention of 12 youths and the death of one.
There are conflicting accounts as to the cause of the death;
according to a press release by the police, the death
occurred when the victim, fleeing the police raid, impaled
himself on metal fencing. Some contacts, however, give
credence to rumors that the victim was stabbed by a police
officer.

RESIDENTS CONFRONT POLICE
--------------


2. (SBU) Whatever the cause of death, area residents, mainly
youths, immediately reacted by burning tires and gathering
outside the neighborhood police station where the detainees
were being held. Authorities responded by deploying a
paramilitary unit, which promptly dispersed the protestors
and restored order. By the morning of May 10, calm prevailed
in the area, although authorities blocked, for several hours,
the main thoroughfare in the immediate vicinity of the
incident, police presence there was heavier than usual, and
some shops closed for the day. As of May 11, the area
affected remains calm and a business-as-usual atmosphere
prevails. .


ASSESSMENT AND STATUS OF AMCITS
--------------



3. (SBU) Piecing together reports we received, the actual
confrontation between youths and authorities lasted only
about several hours during the night of May 9 and was
confined to a small neighborhood area. In many societies, so
minor an incident would pass largely unnoticed, but in The
Gambia,with its generally tranquil environment, any public
protest, no matter how minor, becomes major news. On learning
of the incident, Embassy monitored developments closely, with
RSO and her staff visiting the area and consulting with
senior police officials. No Embassy personnel were affected
by the incident, and we picked up no reports of any impact on
the private Amcit community. Nonetheless, post proposes to
issue a warden message (language being cleared with
Department) to remind the Amcit community that the incident,
minor as it was, serves as a reminder of the need to maintain
security awareness.
STAFFORD