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My name is Saidou, and I am one of Ras Dawda’s sons.
Pleas click the ling to What's On - Gambia's Post to get more information
Help Free Ras Dawda — Our Beloved Rasta Elder and Father
David, also known as Ras Dawda, a long-time resident of Batokunku, was first arrested on June 19, 2025, after authorities illegally trespassed and entered his home without a search warrant.
The authorities later set bail conditions and weekly check-ins, all of which Ras Dawda strictly followed. However, just recently, he was contacted and told to report to the main office to pay additional fines. Upon arriving, he was questioned by a judge without legal representation and without his rights being read.
He is still being held at Jeshwang Prison.
For over 30 years, Ras Dawda has been a devoted resident of Batokunku, calling it home. He was married to his late wife Kaddy for 40 years, and together they raised six sons and 2 daughters.
Due to the unlawful actions and mistreatment of Ras Dawda, we — his sons and the wider Rastafarian community — have come together to organize this Official GoFundMe to help secure his release and seek justice for the persecution violation against him.
Who Is Ras Dawda?
Ras Dawda is one of the longest-standing members of the African diaspora community in The Gambia — a pioneer and inspiration for many who have repatriated to the Motherland.
A well-respected elder within the Rasta community both in The Gambia and internationally, Ras Dawda has lived a simple, peaceful life of faith, dignity, and self-reliance. He is loved by his neighbors in Batokunku and by the wider diaspora community.
Through hard work and dedication, Ras Dawda built his own home, cultivated his land, and grew his Rasta Garden — crops and trees that sustain his family and reflect his deep connection to the earth.
For over 50 years, he has proudly worn his Crown of Locs, a sacred expression of his Rastafarian faith and cultural identity.
Violation of His Rights
We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that, despite his protests, Ras Dawda’s Locs were forcibly cut while he was on remand in Mile 2 Prison.
This act is not only a violation of his religious and cultural rights, but also a symbol of the colonial mindset that still exists within certain systems today.
As an elder who chose The Gambia as his home — marrying a Gambian woman, raising children, and contributing to his community — Ras Dawda deserves respect, protection, and justice, not humiliation or discrimination.
Why We Need Your Help
The Gambia has long been known as “The Smiling Coast of Africa,” a nation that embraces diverse beliefs and cultures. Yet, what has happened to Ras Dawda is a painful contradiction of those values.
We must come together — Rastafarians, Pan-Africanists, and all people who believe in justice and freedom — to stand with Ras Dawda and demand his release.
Your donations will go directly toward:
Legal fees and representation
Court and bail-related costs
Raising awareness about this injustice
Stand With Us
Nationally, internationally, and globally, we as African people have survived slavery, marginalization, and cultural suppression — and we will continue to rise in unity.
Let us rally around Ras Dawda, a man who has lived in truth, peace, and love. Let us restore his freedom and honor his dignity. One Love. One People. One Destiny.
Free Ras Dawda — Free the Rasta Elder of Batokunku.
Organizer
