After a peaceful demonstration on the 14th of April 2016 in the repressive state of Gambia, a number of activists were arrested and died in suspicious conditions. Solo Sandeng, prominent leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), died in custody on the 16th of April. He was detained after being arrested along with other activist during the protest, which was held in favor of electoral reform in view of December’s presidential elections. Fatoumata Jawara, a youth leader from the UDP, is also detained and is believed to have suffered a number of serious injuries. Many of the protesters arrested that same day are still in detention. Members of Sandeng's party claim that he died after having suffered torture by Gambia’s National Intelligence Agency and that two other party members have also died in custody in the following days. 

December’s presidential election in Gambia will be the fifth since Yahya Jammeh took power in a bloodless coup in 1994. A broad range of opposition groups have long asked for electoral reform, including an independent election commission and equal access to public media. The party is requesting an intervention from the international community to put an end to "the brutal crackdown on the opposition", alleging they only want a free and fair electoral process.

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