The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, expresses concern with the deaths of two environmental activists reportedly killed during protests against the operations of a sand mining company in the town of Faraba Banta.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas welcomes the prompt decision by the Gambian authorities to investigate thoroughly the circumstances surrounding the deaths and calls on them to do their utmost to ensure that firearms are not used by security forces in situations of civil protests.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel reiterates the support of the United Nations in consolidating peace and security and in ensuring respect of the rule of law in the new Gambia.