Police allowed the youth wing of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to march Friday to the National Assembly to demand action against corruption in the small West African nation.
"This is the first time the government has granted UDP a permit for more than 27 years," party leader Ousainou Darboe, a longtime opponent of the former dictator Yahya Jammeh, said in an audio message.
"We used to apply but the government never accepted. I thank the youth wing who took the steps in applying for the permit," he added.
Darboe had served as vice president under President Adama Barrow before running against him in the 2021 presidential election.
Almami Taal, a spokesperson for the UDP, also said it was the first authorized march in 27 years.
Youth leaders said they handed over petitions to the National Assembly secretariat and the attorney general's office.
"The UDP Youth Wing is united in the conviction that is of utmost urgency for the Gambia government to put an end to the abuse of office by fully investigating and prosecuting all public officials and organizations accused of wrongdoing," it said in a statement.
In a message to AFP, Hagi Suwareh, the youth wing's leader, cited in particular allegations of corruption within the president's office and at the health ministry.
Gambians Hold Rare Public Protest
BANJUL - Hundreds of young Gambians from the country's main opposition party marched through the capital Banjul on Friday in what is believed to be the first opposition protest permitted in the former dictatorship for nearly three decades.