The Gambia: The Gambia police force has withheld permission for the Cement Importers and Traders Association to march, citing security concerns due to the upcoming Tobaski festival. This incident marks the second denial of a permit for a peaceful protest by the association.
The Trade Ministry and Jah Oil are accused of perpetuating misinformation to justify a ‘significant’ increase in cement import duties, which has affected small-scale importers and led to increased cement prices across the country, according to The Point Newspaper. This policy has reportedly benefited large-scale importers while excluding smaller ones from importing from certain foreign markets. The association criticises the government's selective enforcement of import bans and duties, which they argue supports a monopolistic agenda favouring Jah Oil, despite widespread economic and consumer impacts.
