By Amadou Manjang
The students of the University of the Gambia on Monday staged a protest demanding the reinstatement of Dr Gibba and Matarr Njie who were dismissed by the UTG management.
The students carried placards describing the dismissal of their lecturers as ‘unfair’, with others demanding ‘justice for our lecturers’.
Alasana Jeng, one of the leaders of the protesting students, said they just want the two lecturers back at the university.
He said that the sacking disrupts their education as their exams approach.
“We are protesting because it has affected our education,” he said.
Ebrima Mbaye, another student, said they are protesting to show solidarity with the affected students.
He said when the lecturers were dismissed, students lost classes which affected them
The Police Police Relation Officer, Momodou Sisawo said the protest was illegal as the students did not have a permit to protest.
He added that the police were deployed to the protest to ensure peace and security.
The Commissioner of Police in Kanifing Municipality and the director of operations in Serekunda were present there.
Dozens of riot police were present. They secured the Peace Building where the office of the Vice Chancellor is.
The students were standing in front of the building chanting and demanding to see the vice Chancellor.
The police officers were engaging the students to end the protest, but the students insisted on seeing the Vice Chancellor. After some time, many students stormed the building housing VC’s office to voice their discontent.
The Vice-Chancellor was escorted by the police to leave the premises.
When the Vice Chancellor left, the police threw teargas to disperse the protesting students.
According to eyewitnesses, the students were trying to follow the vehicles of the Vice Chancellor when the police threw the teargas.
The protest started around 9 am to late in the evening.
