At ECOLUM, we believe that public spaces are not merely plots of landโthey are living symbols of community, identity, and collective memory. In light of recent developments concerning the abrupt and unsubstantiated takeover of McCarthy Square by the Office of the President, we wish to express our full solidarity with the citizens of Banjul and the Banjul City Council in preserving this iconic space for public use.
Our Executive Director, Hon. Abdoulie Njai who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Banjul Central has issued a strong statement condemning the government’s unilateral action and calling for legal redress should ongoing negotiations fail to yield a just outcome.
โMcCarthy Square is a civic jewel that has stood at the heart of Banjulโs social and political life for generations. Any attempt to dispossess the people of this space without due process not only undermines local governance but also threatens the spirit of participatory democracy we seek to build,โ
Hon. Abdoulie Njai, Executive Director, ECOLUM & MP for Banjul Central.
As an organization committed to sustainable development, inclusive governance, and environmental justice, ECOLUM underscores the critical importance of upholding the Local Government Act, which clearly mandates that municipal properties and public assets fall under the jurisdiction of local councils. The recent decision by the central government to assume control of McCarthy Square, communicated via a letter from the Secretary to the Cabinet, violates this legal framework and sets a dangerous precedent.
While the letter justifies the move based on โgovernment investmentโ ahead of the 60th independence anniversary, it does not nullify the legal and communal ownership of this historic landmark. National celebrations must not come at the cost of local disenfranchisement.
We echo the sentiments of our Executive Director:
โThis is not just about land; itโs about legacy. McCarthy Square belongs to the people. Government development should enhance community ownershipโnot erase it. If dialogue fails, legal action is a necessary recourse, and we commend the Banjul City Council for preparing to defend our collective rights in court.โ
ECOLUM also aligns itself with the broader call for peaceful resistance and civic vigilance. Our Executive Director has urged all Banjulians and Gambians alike to stand in solidarity against this unjust encroachment and to engage through lawful and nonviolent means:
โLet us be clear: the people of Banjul will not be bystanders. We will protect what is ours with integrity, with law, and with unity.โ
What ECOLUM Calls For:
- Immediate suspension of the takeover process pending an independent legal and administrative review;
- Full restoration of management rights of McCarthy Square to the Banjul City Council;
- Transparent dialogue involving all stakeholders, including the community, civil society, and legal experts;
- A commitment from national authorities to uphold decentralization and participatory governance in all future undertakings involving public assets.
As stewards of sustainable governance and defenders of public participation, we remind all actors especially the executive branch that true national progress is impossible without respecting local voices and constitutional order.
This is more than a municipal dispute. It is a test of our democracy.
Together, let us safeguard Banjulโs heritage and honor the will of its people.