The travails of the Gambian Journalists: Call to Action

The Gambian government led by Alhaji Yayah Jammeh has been detaining journalists almost everyday since the beginning of June. The detention spree was sparked by comments made by President Yahya Jammeh on May 22, in which he made disparaging remarks about continuing concern for the failed investigation into the death of Gambian journalism doyen Deyda Hyadara. Hyadara was killed by what is believed to be government security agents in 2004.

A statement issued by the Gambian Press Union criticizing Jammeh’s comments was reported on by a number of newspapers, resulting in those editors and journalists who carried the story being rounded up and detained. TAEF condemns this behavior and aligns itself with the statement by The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, calling on the Gambian government to begin honouring its obligations in terms of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. Gambian media has been operating under a strict regime of censorship, characterized by harassment, intimidation and detention as well as disappearances of journalists. Many journalists now live outside the country.

In particular we wish to draw attention to the following:
• The arrest of Ms Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Mr Emil Touray and Mr Pa Modou Faal, First-Vice President, Secretary General and Treasurer respectively of the Gambia Press Union, on 15 June 2009, by members of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). This was in connection with a media statement recently issued by the Gambian Press Union, criticising comments made by President Jammeh on the stalled investigations into the 2004 killing of Deyda Hydara, co-founder and Editor of the Point Newspaper. Four other staff members of independent newspapers: Mr Pap Saine, Co-publisher and Managing Editor and Mr Ebrimma Sawaneh, News Editor of the independent newspaper, The Point, Mr Sam Sarr, the Editor and Mr Saidy Khan, a Reporter with the independent newspaper Foroyaa, were all arrested on 15 June 2009, for publishing the GPU statement. All seven were granted bail on a second appearance in court on Monday. We call for the dropping of the charges.
• The arrest of yet another reporter, Augustine Kanja, outside court where the seven were appearing on Monday, and the barring of media, relatives and the general public from attending the bail applications.
• Information that on 22 May 2009, President Jammeh, whilst addressing a rally in Kanifing, cautioned the Immam of Kalifing, Baba Leigh, who is an outspoken critic of the President’s administration, to desist from publicly criticising his Presidency or face the risk of imprisonment. President Jammeh reportedly warned that any media practioners who reported any remarks made by the Imam would face legal action.
• The arrest of Mr Abdul Hamid Adiamoh, Managing Editor of Today Newspaper, on 10 June 2009, on charges of false publication and broadcasting, contrary to Section 181 (A) of the Criminal Code. This was allegedly in connection with a story published by Today Newspaper, relating to alleged sacking of a number of ministers. The story was later retracted and an apology tendered. Adjamoh was however charged and sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine.
• The “disappearance” of Daily Observer journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh, since June 7, 2006. Manneh was allegedly picked up at his office by plain clothes security officials. He has not been seen since and government has denied knowledge of his whereabouts, although he was apparently treated at a hospital for an ailment in July 2007. His case was taken to the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Abuja, Nigeria. The Gambian government boycotted the case but the court however found that Manneh was detained by The Gambian police and ordered his release and compensation but nothing has happened.
• A resolution by The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in November last year which condemned violations of Freedom of Expression and harassment and intimidation of journalists in The Gambia.

Culled from African Editors' Forum release