Pa Samba Jow, the spokesman for the Democratic Union of Gambian Activists in the Diaspora, said his organization wishes the attempted coup would have been successful. Jow said Gambians want to get rid of Jammeh, who his group accuses of abrogating the rights and freedoms of Gambians for 20 years with impunity.

“I think, for this time, it was a genuine attempt to definitely get rid of this regime that has abrogated the rights of Gambians for over 20 years. I think the regime has denied Gambians all avenues, legally and constitutionally, to change the manner of their government. People are left with no other choice but to try to end it by any means necessary,” he said.

Jow described the alleged coup plotters as freedom fighters who, he said, are determined to restore democracy to The Gambia.

Jammeh came to power in a coup in 1994. His government has been heavily criticized abroad for what Amnesty International called its iron fisted repression and widespread human rights violations.

In its 2013 Human Rights Report, the U.S. State Department said The Gambia’s most serious human rights problems included government interference with the electoral process, harassment and abuse of its critics, and torture, arrest, detention, and sometimes enforced disappearance of citizens.

The rights group Civil Society Associations Gambia criticized President Obama for hosting Jammeh at the White House during the U.S.-Africa summit in August, which drew dozens of African heads of state to the U.S. capital.

Jow said everything has gone wrong under Jammeh.

“When Jammeh came to power, the reason he claimed was corruption and overstay in power by the previous regime. Jammeh made the claim that he will never introduce dictatorship in the country, that nobody will ever rule the country for more than 10 years. As we speak, he’s been in power for 20 years. As we speak, Yahyah Jammeh, who came to power a poor man, is now one of the richest people in the country, if not the whole of Africa,” Jow said.

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have both frowned on coups.

Jow said that had the alleged coup succeeded, the AU and ECOWAS would have no choice but to support the restoration of democracy in The Gambia.

“Gambians have not been accorded any opportunity to change the manner of their government in a peaceful, democratic way. What is important is for sure that the international community support the Gambian people and to install the restoration of democracy and to make sure that nobody in the history of that country takes the government of the people from the back of the people,” Jow said.

Jow said the Gambian media is under constant attack under Jammeh and that the government does not allow for the free exercise of democratic rights.

The French News Agency quoted an unnamed military officer as saying three suspects were killed in the violence, including the alleged ringleader, whom the officer described as an army deserter.

A US State Department spokesman said the United States strongly condemns any attempt to seize power through extra constitutional means.

Source: VOA

More information is coming in regarding the apparent failed military operation in the Gambia to topple the Jammeh administration. Reliable sources from the corridors of the State House in Banjul has it that the commander of the State Guard Captain Musa Savage may have been the man who betrayed the arm attackers and killed them upon their arrival at the State House to launch their operations.

The source further alleged that the arm attackers had an agreement with some senior members of the arm forces in the Gambia to back them when they launch their operations. The source went further to indicate that the freedom fighters were in constant contact with Captain Savage who agreed to be part of the coup. However, knowing when the attack is planned and the logistics behind the operations, Captain Savage had a change of mind and decided to launch his counter attack.

Essentially when the arm men entered Banjul Mr. Savage already planned his plot and waited for them to arrive. Upon arrival with their weapons to launch their attack on the State House the opportunistic Savage who was once fired and disgraced from the State House by President Jammeh, Savage immediately launched an attack on the three man contingent who arrived at the State House. The source further added that Savage shut former Captain Lamin Sanneh who had a good idea of where the armory is located at the State House. Sanneh was unexpectedly attacked at open point range by Savage who was there to welcome them. Sanneh’s company immediately attempted to retreat and fight back but were both gunned down.

The report added that Savage alerted the military check point at the Denton Bridge who were also on alert when the arm attackers arrived. A serious gunfight ensured for a good number of hours around the Denton Bridge and the State House and several men were left death and some captured. Our reliable source ask a question that made the source very credible. The source ask how comes not a single guard at the State House was killed or injured if the arm attackers came with their weapons to launch an attacked? He/she said the reason for that is because the arm attackers were expecting to have a good reception at the State House without firing shots but instead were betrayed. This is essentially how the plot to capture the State House was foiled our source added.

The report also indicated that some soldiers were assigned to the airport, the national television and the two army barracks. However, information had licked prior to the operation and those soldiers on the ground were asked to stand down alleged our military source. This essentially explains why a highly trained and experience contingent of former soldiers some having served in the US army – the best army in the world had a tactical error in launching their operation. “In fact if everything had gone as planned and there were no betrayals this would have been a bloodless takeover” as it was perfectly planned barring any betrayals. The attackers were reportedly in the Gambia several days and were looking to capture some senior security personnel before the launch of the operation.

The latest report from Banjul is that Yahya Jammeh has sneaked into the country through the airport in Banjul escorted by armed men from Chad. He reportedly did not do the usual guard of honour and was rushed in a separate unmarked car into Banjul. The question that many people are asking are… now that Jammeh is back in town the blood bath, arrest, detention, firing and possible killings will begin in earnest. There is expected to be a rounding up of senior security personnel and some government officials who allegedly may be involved in this failed operation. Going by the failed 2006 coup attempt even civilians are likely to be implicated and the fall out begins as soon as the President obtained his briefing.

Some analysts has it that Captain Savage who initially agreed to be part of the military takeover may have just paved the way for his own demise. That Jammeh is likely to initially reward him but turnaround shortly after to get rid of Savage in the most brutal manner. Gambians are now bracing for the worst as Jammeh has always vowed to kill citizens involved in arm struggle against him. The Gambian army may have committed the worst mistake in history by allowing a brutal dictator like Yahya Jammeh to return to oppress his people after a missed opportunity to end impunity and restore sanity in the country. The first casualties will be soldiers and other security personnel who will pay price. In the meantime, our team’s condolences goes out to the victims of the unfortunate attack. The peaceful Gambia we all know should never have reached this stage of bloodshed only if one man would not have taken control of everything in the country. The diplomatic fall out with Senegal is also likely to erupt at the earliest possible time.

On the potholed streets and alleyways of Greater Banjul, it’s a macabre scene repeated many times; young men with limited education driving around in regime issued, gas guzzling vehicles, doing Yahya Jammeh’s dirty work; arresting, incarcerating, torturing, maiming and murdering innocent Gambians and non-Gambians alike.

But, just last week, a rare appearance on Freedom Radio by one of such young men, Ousman Bojang, provided Gambians with information no one, hitherto, knew existed, and clearly confirmed the deleterious nature of Yahya Jammeh’s AFPRC military regime. But, Ousman Bojang also gave subliminal clues as to the fidelity of most Jolas to the concept of one nation in which all Gambians thrive, unseparated from the broader Gambian family by mortifying ignorance or the dangerous attraction to the unsustainable tribal bigotry.

As repository of state secrets, Ousman Bojang’s extrication from the stranglehold of an artificial social construct that pits Jolas against Gambia’s majority tribes is an undeniable affirmation of Yahya Jammeh’s ideological isolation on the issue of tribal separation. Certainly the significance of Ousman Bojang’s revelations is not lost on Gambians, more importantly; he simply reechoed the challenges that confront Gambians and justified the national obligation to forcefully remove Yahya Jammeh’s toxic regime from power.

But of all the vexing Ousman Bojang revelations about Yahya Jammeh’s divisive tyranny and acrimonious pro-Jola sentiments, one stands out above all the others as extremely Rwandasque in character and indoctrination. Yahya Jammeh’s creation of a Jola army, out of the public glare, hit the airwaves like a ton of bricks. Yahya Jammeh’s regime’s formation of a secret Jola army, paid for by the Gambian people, and designed to enforce his stay in power despite popular opposition, is more a confirmation of his morbid fear for his own life than a stubborn desire to remain in power.

But now, with all the egregious crimes committed on behalf of, and on orders of Yahya Jammeh, the reality of a mass popular uprising is not without basis, and seems more likely as Gambians reach the extreme level of their tolerance. And last week, that reality was echoed in more instances than one. To begin, I never thought Sedia Bayo and I would agree on anything centered on the Gambia’s political struggles; until now. In spite of my reservations about his qualifications and ability to head an organization of any repute in the struggle, our ideas for uprooting Yahya Jammeh and restore civility and rule of law in Gambia are strikingly similar. Simply put; Sedia Bayo has impressed me with his proposal for an urgent nationwide resistance movement to put an end to Yahya Jammeh’s anachronistic military regime.

The similarities of Sedia Bayo’s and my views in moving the stalled national struggle forward is increasingly and rapidly gaining momentum, at home and abroad. The meeting last week of opposition leaders and their call for resistance to the regime’s perennial impunity, in sync with what the public wanted to have happened, was a hopeful sign. Years of online media exposure of the hair-raising human rights violations in Gambia have left Yahya Jammeh’s military regime completely weakened, shunned and virtually isolated by ECOWAS and the vast majority of African leaders.

But despite the frequent flares of violence against the Gambian people, and Yahya Jammeh’s intermittent ranting and raving against the west; most notably the EU, and the US and UK governments, Yahya Jammeh is simply hiding his fear of losing power, and terrified of what will happen to him. What is also certain is Yahya Jammeh’s constants efforts to create distraction from the real economic hardship facing Gambia. To this effect, Yahya Jammeh’s new drumbeat over gays and lesbians is a smokescreen and a political distraction, from beginning to end.

Unfortunately, like the three months witch-hunting exercise around the country in 2009, this too, could cost lives. Already, a quiet, but massive social disruption is taking shape as some of Gambian gays and lesbians head for the hills across the border into Senegal, or descend further into deafening obscurity in a society where their existence is held in contempt by a bigoted minority.

The vigorous debate over gays and lesbians rights in the west, over the past two years, gave Yahya Jammeh an opportunity to exploit the issue and draw attention to himself. Increasingly, Yahya Jammeh wants to cast himself as an anti-western rebel, a position that has endeared him with nations that practice strict Sharia codes, as well as benefit from badly needed financial sponsorship.

By challenging western values on homosexuality, and deflecting attention from an economy on the borderline of ruin, Yahya Jammeh, will also temporarily mute the ongoing frustrations over Gambia’s denial of access to UN Rapporteurs sent to separate fact from fiction in the Gambia’s less than stellar human rights record. And Gambians, who unenthusiastically participated in a lackluster demonstration against gays and lesbians sanctioned by the state and designed to impress financiers from the Middle East, would rather have protested the murders, executions, mass incarcerations, exorbitant cost of food and services, never ending hiring and firing, relentless arrests and detentions of innocent Gambians and the tyranny of the Jola minority.

And with some gay men recently paraded on national television and put on trial, the Gambia has once again been plunged into another ideologically divisive non-issue by a regime that never failed to manipulate unsuspecting Gambians and creating philosophical acrimonies and deep social and cultural polarization in Gambian society.

A blogger who spoke for all Gambians recently contextualized Yahya Jammeh’s ridiculous anti-gay and lesbian circus as; “Gambia does not have a gay and lesbian problem; Gambia has a Yahya Jammeh problem.”

The degree of ridiculousness of the gay and lesbian debate in Gambia is matched only by their corresponding invisibility in Gambian society. The public expressions of homosexuality and other manifestations of crossing the gender divide are such a taboo in Gambian society that only gays and lesbians with distinguishable feminine and masculine characteristics and behaviors will risk ridicule and social ostracization in a society where their obscurity is enforced by society.

The social norms and religious dogma in Gambia prohibit the public expression of homosexuality, and for Yahya Jammeh to make it an issue, only aggravates gays and lesbians self-imposed exile into total obscurity, and away from prying eyes of homophobic zealots in the payroll of the regime. As a people joined by a common desire to bring about political change, Gambians have reached the end of the road; the limits of their endurance and the boundary of their tolerance. The diaspora dissident movement; the online media and civil society organizations have laid the foundation for Yahya Jammeh’s forcible removal, but the diaspora cannot do it alone.

The active participation and leadership of the political establishment and the Gambian people is both necessary and inevitable to move from the point of desire to the point of real political change.

The diaspora, therefore, calls on the political parties and the Gambian people to be more vocal, more engaged and more pragmatic in the determination to see political change through mass, popular nationwide demonstrations. Yahya Jammeh may have his Jola army, but he has to know that for every Jola youth he can rely on for defense, there are ninety-three Mandinka, Fula, Wollof and other tribal youth. To put it another way, the Jola population on the entire planet equals the total Fula population in Gambia alone. Any Jola army Yahya Jammeh stands up for support will face a glaring numerical disadvantage, and a fight it cannot win.

Today, fear of getting entangled with the regime has paralyzed the political opposition and public into inaction and inconsequentiality. This morbid fear that has permeated Gambian society has its roots in the gruesome murder of Koro Ceesay, the 2000 student massacre and the November 1994 military executions, but it does not justify abandoning the responsibility of holding the regime to account. But as it is, political activity has deescalated to near complete silence, which has allowed the regime to ban protests and demonstrations, despite being constitutionally guaranteed and beyond the prevue of the regime to ban.

In addition, the diaspora movement may have inadvertently given Gambians a sense it has the answers, but that is far from reality. The fact is; real power resides in the people and the opposition.

In order to succeed, Gambians must converge together the combined civilian and political opposition into a monolithic force for change. If we do, we can never lose the price of freeing Gambia from the clutches of a Casamance-born tyrant; Yahya Jammeh. Together, we have to make Gambia the next Burkina Faso. The time for balangbaa is now. We owe it to ourselves and to posterity.

Following the expulsion of the Gambia from AGOA and other U.S. Trade benefits, The Government of the Republic of The Gambia says it congratulates the Government of The United States of America for the removal of The Gambia from the list of eligible sub-Saharan African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

According to a press release from the Office of the President, the Jammeh Administration says the Gambia “has never benefited” from AGOA in the first place, “since a US Presidential Proclamation designated the country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country on March, 28 2003.”

“Furthermore, in light of remarks in interviews and statements in the local media made by the Charge d’Affaire of the US embassy in Banjul, it has now become unequivocally clear that the Government of the United States has no good intentions for the people of The Gambia,” the Gambia Government stated.

The release concluded by saying, “consequently and bound by an unshakeable faith in the Almighty Allah alone, it should be clear that the dignified people of The Gambia will not succumb to outside pressures of any kind nor from any source, for, the well-being of her people remains paramount for the Government of The Gambia.”

On December 23, the United States President, Barack Obama issued a proclamation that excluded the Gambia and South Sudan from AGOA and other U.S. Trade Acts. Guinea Bissau is the newest nation added to the list of beneficiaries.

Most political analyst say that Jammeh is being childish once again not being concerned about Gambian businesses that benefited from AGOA but instead showing sarcasm saying it “congratulates” the Obama Administration. Observers agree this goes on to prove that Jammeh do not care about Gambians and the well-being of the people of the nation.

As the famous controversial campaign manager of the First H W Bush, Lee Atwater, once quipped out of frustration: “we are throwing the gauntlet in South Carolina”, basically making it clear that the campaign will put in all their effort in South Carolina to save the campaign for the presidency.

It was evident at that point, Lee Atwater, who has developed a reputation as a political mercenary, decided that every tactical opportunity has to be explored to win the presidency. Well, the rest was history; H W Bush was elected as the 41st President of the USA. There is no doubt that our fight to save our country from the clutches of tyranny is at a crucial point, and a dire need to indeed throw our own gauntlet in 2016, and recognize that the Gambia cannot afford another term under the Jammeh tyranny.

Like most Gambian, based on our experience in past elections, I am very much concerned with the viability of pursuing the election strategy. There is still not a level playing field, the Govt. continues to use intimidation, bribery, stuffing of the voter ballots and without a doubt will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to steal the election again.

Then the question becomes, why we would even entertain the election route, thus legitimizing the dictator. Although challenging the Jammeh Dictatorship in past elections was not successful, there were indications that formation of an alliance of opposition parties can be the key to bring down the Jammeh tyranny. The formation of an alliance couple with a unify show of force to challenge the regime has never been explored.

Let me be clear that there is a distinction between a show force and pursuing violence. Gambians are ready to vote against Jammeh out of office, and what is needed is the right strategy and show of force to challenge this brutal dictator.

To pursue an effective strategy for the upcoming elections in 2016 has to take a collective effort from the Diaspora with political forces on the ground, based on the sole mission for a regime and system change. This will bring about replacing the Jammeh hegemony with a transitional govt. that will focus on building the institutions of democracy, rule of law, good governance and leveling the playing field. First, Gambians in the Diaspora, which include civil society organizations, independent human rights activist and independent media, coming together and coordinating their efforts toward three fundamentals issues:

Enfranchising Gambians in the Diaspora the right to vote;

Leveraging the political forces on the ground to come together and demand the political reforms, as stipulated in the G6 document that they all agreed to;

Gambians in the Diaspora and political forces on the ground come together and fight for the cessation of violation of civil and human rights, which the present Government continues to use the courts and outright violation of the constitution.

As it is becoming evident in the Diaspora, a new generation of Gambians has given an added voice to the change agenda we have been seeking for the past couple of decades. This has created a new enthusiasm that we have never seen before, and an opportunity that if exploited to its fullest, can help in the area of raising of funds and also leveraging our partners on the ground because they will recognize the power of the voice coming from the Diaspora.

The idea that we have to come together under one structured organization, in order to exploit our numerical advantage is unrealistic and not really required. Now, coming together base on issues that we shared and organizing ourselves by forming loose ad hoc committees to pursue the change agenda, especially in partnership with political parties on the ground to create a new partnership, is a clear and attainable strategy that can be pursued.

This can be done and still maintain the independence of these various civil society organizations, media houses and political parties on the ground.

The first phase of the strategy to prepare for the elections in 2016, is for all of us in the Diaspora to consolidate and pursue the three highlighted issues: join forces and demand for extending voting rights to the Diaspora; leverage political forces on the ground to come together and demand political reforms as stipulated in the G6 document; and join forces with democratic groups to expose the continuous violation of civil and human rights by the Jammeh’s dictatorship.

The second phase of the strategy is to extend our influence on the political parties, putting the emphasis on the need to come together under one tent to pursue the strategy of making a countrywide tour, and appeal to Gambians to join them in their demand for political reform. As a group, they will also take their message to the international community, letting the outside world know in no certain terms that in the absence of political reforms through leveling of the playing field, Gambia could become a failed state.

The strategy of touring the Gambia is vital in re-establishing trust among the opposition parties, and the main focus is to ask Gambians to join them in their quest for a level playing field which ultimately safeguard the security and peace in the country. The opposition parties coming together and making this countrywide tour will send a clear message to the entire population that they are indeed a credible alternative to the nightmare.

Also, this will be the first effective challenge to the Dictator, and has a possibility of emboldening the population that the time is right to bring down the Dictator. The majority of Gambians at home is hoping for an opportunity for change, and by creating a unify force that will expose the excesses of this government in a red meat style delivery will be the right strategy to mitigate the fear factor the Dictator has created over the years.

As a poor Farmer told us years ago, give us the right Chariot and we will ride out of this terrible dream, and begin the arduous task of building the new Gambia.

In addition to touring the country, taking the message for the need for political reforms, they will also embark on taking the same message to the international community: the European Union, African Union and EOWAS. For the international community to see that we are united in our fight for political reforms, and that it will only take free and fair elections in the Gambia, in order to eliminate any possibility of civil strife. As the political parties remain united, take their message to Gambians at home, Gambians in the Diaspora and the international community, they will be setting a solid foundation to contest the elections, even if those reforms are ignored by the regime.

Like all of you, the majority of Gambians wants to see the end of this nightmare we are in, and I am convinced that by coming together in an alliance, demonstrate the readiness for a show of force and real funding from the Diaspora, Jammeh can lose by a huge margin, even without the electoral reforms. But, it is absolutely necessary that the first phase of the fight in 2016 is the demand for the needed electoral reforms.

THE FORMATION OF AN ALLIANCE TO CONTEST THE 2016 ELECTIONS:

This is the part that has always eluded us in the past; of course everyone understands the difficulty and the complexity for such a strategy. The elimination of the second ballot by Jammeh was very deliberate, knowing fully well that a formation of an alliance by the opposition will bring an end to whatever political advantage he can ever muster.

The APRC has always been fully aware that the power of the incumbency alone will not keep them in power. They started out with the banning of the PPP and other major parties that were deemed to be a threat electorally, of course injecting the age limit was a preempt to sideline the political stalwarts with name ID from the PPP and NCP, and finally the elimination of the second round of voting to make it difficult for the formation of alliance.

Now is the time for us to play the best card we ever had- alliance of all opposition parties, and in the process not only bring change to the state house, but a system change that will begin the building blocks of a true democracy. So that never again, our country will be high jacked by special interests, dictators of any kind, elites who think that power belongs to them, and put the Gambia back as one of the civilize countries.

Experience has taught me that coming up with a proposed scenario for an effective alliance; to confront the APRC in 2016 has to really come from the political parties themselves. Like us, they are convinced that the best strategy to peacefully remove the present status quo and replace it with a durable system can only be done through an alliance of all opposition parties.

Essentially, Gambia is very much committed to regime change, but cannot settle for that change without a total overhaul of the politics of yesteryear, and replace with a new dispensation in line with the twenty first century.

There are different kinds of alliance formation: whether it is party led alliance, the NADD type of alliance or any form of alliance for that matter, the fundamental requirement at this juncture is an alliance that all the political parties on the ground are committed to, and willing to demonstrate the show of force to the regime with a clear message that the elections cannot be stolen or outright violation of the election laws are not going to be tolerated.

Past experience during the NADD days have shown us the parties’ commitment to contest the election under an alliance platform, and only ran into trouble during the selection process of the flag bearer. Even though, the grass root participation is vital for a successful alliance, but taking the discussion behind the scenes after consultation with the population can help to bring a breakthrough.

In conclusion, as we get ready for the beginning of the New Year, we are getting to be confronted with a political calendar that will not be favorable to the alliance strategy. The first quarter of 2015 – January to April should be seen as the window to launch the first phase of the campaign for the electoral reforms, as stipulated in the G6 document, by making a countrywide tour by all the opposition parties.

They should come up with a budget that can be sent to the Diaspora, so that they can begin the work of raising the required funds for the tour. The parties will also send an envoy to the international community, making it clear as it relates to their position to the elections in 2016.

The message to the Gambian people and the international community will be one of unanimity, and commitment to save our country from sliding into the abyss. As they continue to campaign and make the demands for the electoral reforms, they will also be engaged in preliminary discussion of other options in regards to their participation in the 2016 General elections.

The 2016 General elections is slated for November of 2016; therefore, by the end of 2015, the opposition parties would have had a unanimous position in terms of the kind of alliance, program of the alliance, a detailed program of a transitional Government that will implement the required system changes, and a saleable candidate that can be used as a flag bearer to take on Jammeh.

Like most Gambians, we are all left with the notion that Jammeh will do whatever it takes, even use violence to stay in power.

Jammeh is not suicidal, and when confronted by the overwhelming power of the people under a united alliance, the only path for him is to respect the will of the people. Jammeh can be defeated if all parties, including the Diaspora pulled what I called the spirit of Lee Atwater, a political mercenary who understood the art of running and winning political campaigns by relying on a winning strategy.

This, fellow Gambians, can be a peaceful route to bring about change and the building blocks for a viable democratic Gambia.

Gambian activists on Thursday criticized the Obama administration over what they maintain is its lack of response to anti-LGBT persecution and other human rights abuses in their West African country.

Banka Manneh, chair of Civil Society Associations Gambia, noted during a roundtable at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in Northwest Washington the European Union in 2012 called upon President Yahya Jammeh to implement 17 reforms after his government executed nine prisoners. These include the repeal of the death penalty and ensuring freedom of media in his West African country.

The EU earlier this year delayed a 150 million euro aid package to Gambia.

“I have to really say unfortunately on the United States end we haven’t seen much progress,” said Manneh. “Most of the progress that we have had so far has been on the European Union side.”

Manneh and the other Gambian advocates who took part in the roundtable called upon the Obama administration to impose a travel ban against Jammeh, members of his family and inner circle and government officials. They also said these sanctions should also target Gambian lawmakers.

“Those are the ones passing these obnoxious laws that we are talking about,” said Amadou Scattred Janneh, a Gambian human rights advocate who was arrested in 2011 for distributing pro-democracy t-shirts. “They ought to pay a price too.”

Janneh also urged the U.S. to freeze Jammeh’s assets and to suspend military cooperation with his country.

“We want the U.S. to coordinate actions with allies and finally the U.S. government to support groups working to change the Gambia to a nation of laws and one that respects the fundamental rights of all its citizens,” said Janneh.

A State Department official last month expressed concern over a draconian bill Jammeh signed under which those convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” face life in prison.

Bernadette Meehan, spokesperson for the National Security Council, on Thursday said in a statement the U.S. “is deeply concerned by continued reports of human rights abuses” in Gambia that include the “aggravated homosexuality” law and authorities targeting people because of their perceived sexual orientation.

“Protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, and we will be guided by these values as we respond to these negative developments in the Gambia,” said Meehan. “Such actions are inconsistent with international standards and deal a setback to the Gambian people and all people who value human rights. The United States calls on the government of the Gambia to respect all human rights, repeal discriminatory legislation and cease these harmful practices.”

Manneh criticized Obama for hosting Jammeh at the White House during an August summit that drew dozens of African heads of state to D.C.

“Jammeh can grab somebody today and send him to Mile 2 Prison that he calls his hotel,” said Manneh, referring to an infamous Gambian prison where he said authorities routinely subject prisoners to torture and other human rights abuses. “Then the next day he hops on a plane and comes and meets Obama at the White House for dinner. If that is not a mixed message, I don’t know what else is.”

“On one hand we are making the effort to delegitimize him,” he added. “On the other hand Western governments are meeting him and having photo ops with him, pictures of which are being sent back home, put on t-shirts and people make a big celebration out of it.”

Fatu Camara, a journalist and Jammeh’s former press secretary who fled to the U.S. last year after authorities charged her with what the BBC described as sedition, also took part in the roundtable.

She said Jammeh’s security guards assaulted her and others outside the Hay-Adams Hotel in D.C. in August during a protest against the Gambian president’s human rights record. Camara said she suffered a concussion during the incident and subsequently received a $3,000 hospital bill.

Jeffrey Smith of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights said Jammeh’s security guards “had free reign to beat them up.”

“Then the very next day…there’s President Jammeh standing, smiling on the red carpet with our president and shaking his hand,” said Smith. “There’s a huge gap between rhetoric and action and the fact that President Jammeh is too comfortable.”

R&B singer Erykah Baduin May earlier this year faced criticism from Smith and other human rights advocates over her decision to perform at a Gambian music festival that Jammeh had been scheduled to attend.

Jammeh describes gay men as ‘vermin’

Gambia is a small West African country nestled between Senegal along the Gambia River.

Jammeh came to power in a 1994 military coup.

He said during a 2013 speech at the U.N. General Assembly that homosexuality is among the three “biggest threats to human existence.”

Jammeh in February described gay men as “vermin” during a speech that commemorated his country’s independence from the U.K. He went on to say the acronym LGBT “can only stand for leprosy, gonorrhea, bacteria and tuberculosis; all of which are detrimental to human existence.”

Camara said Gambian authorities have arrested a 16-year-old boy and others they suspect of being gay.

She noted a handful of gay Gambians have fled to Senegal and Guinea. Camara said others are afraid to leave their homes because they are afraid the authorities will arrest them.

“Gambians cried, but the world did not take note,” she said. “He [Jammeh] has finally put the law into the books of the Gambia, and has already demonstrated that he would follow through with his words.”

‘Our people are dying’

Janneh was held in Mile 2 after his 2011 arrest. He said on Thursday he saw the way authorities treated his fellow inmates whom they suspected were gay.

“It comes with cost,” said Janneh.

Janneh stressed Jammeh’s ongoing LGBT crackdown should be seen within the context of what he described as “a dying regime engaging in a fishing expedition.”

He said groups within the Gambian diaspora have made an “unprecedented” effort to highlight Jammeh’s human rights abuses to the EU and the United Nations, noting Brussels’ 2012 decision to delay aid to the West African country. Janneh further noted the Gambian government last year cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in an apparent move to cultivate closer relations with China.

Senegal refuses to expel Gambian dissidents from the country.

Janneh added the Gambian economy continues to decline and people in the West African country face looming food shortages.

“These elements have combined to push Jammeh to a point where he’s looking for scapegoats,” said Janneh. “The LGBT community seems to be a very convenient one.”

Manneh agreed, referring to the EU demands that Gambia improve its human rights record.

“[Jammeh]’s decided to use the LGBT community as a pawn in his game, pretty much saying why the European Union and all these western countries are going after me is pretty much to make sure that I allow for gay marriage to take place in this country,” he said. “This is a country where there is no other media out there that will tell the people a different story. He has total control of the media and so he controls the messaging and he gets to bamboozle them in these ways.”

Manneh and his fellow Gambian advocates said in response to a Washington Blade question that the human rights situation in their homeland should concern the U.S. government — and the American people.

“If there’s any unique opportunity for the U.S. to prove to the world that it does not just talk the talk, but to walk the walk when it comes to these fundamental values of human rights and justice around the world, Gambia is one case where it’s a low hanging fruit where it can do it, where it can be effective,” said Manneh. “It will get the job done and it will give the U.S. that legitimacy of position around the world, easy.”

Camara was more direct.

“Our people are dying,” she said. “They’re being tortured everyday and you have nowhere to run to. Countries like the Gambia look up to big countries like the United States of America.”

Gambian human rights activists said Thursday that they hope that a surge in interest around a crackdown on LGBT rights in the small West African country will finally spur action from the U.S. government they say has long turned a blind eye to dozens of human rights abuses during President Yahya Jammeh’s 20-year rule.

“In all these years of efforts to go to the state department, going to all these different levels in the U.S. government lobbying and lobbying for them to do something about the Gambia, we haven’t been having any traction at all,” said Banka Manneh of Civil Society Associations Gambia, who was one of three activists who participated in a Thursday roundtable organized by the RFK Center for Human Rights in Washington, D.C. He held up a 10-page list of names of individuals executed, disappeared, or forced into exile under Jammeh’s regime as he spoke. “All of sudden they arrest these 15 gays and lesbians, and we’re seeing really what seems to be a firestorm.”

Since early November, at least 15 people alleged to be LGBT have been arrested by Gambian authorities, according to the activists, and at least eight more have fled the country. Jammeh has made several remarks encouraging violence toward LGBT people, and the activists fear those arrested may be tortured or executed, given his past behavior.

The anti-LGBT campaign — which was foreshadowed with the passage of an “aggravated homosexuality” law closely modeled on Uganda’s infamous “Anti-Homosexuality Act” in August — has caused a surge in international coverage for the country that is home to around 2 million people. Even the conference organizer, the RFK Center’s Jeffrey Smith, expressed surprise that the conference room was filled, because activists have long been unsuccessful in generating interest in Washington about the abuses of one of Africa’s most unpredictable dictators.

Fatou Camara, who briefly served as Jammeh’s press secretary and now is an opposition activist living in the United States, said it was “long overdue to bring the attention of the world to the plight of Gambians living under the brutal dictatorship of Jammeh” who has been “killing of people with reckless abandon” for two decades.

Camara, who suffered a concussion when assaulted by Jammeh’s security detail during a protest against his visit to Washington for an African leaders summit organized by the White House in August, criticized the Obama administration for sending mixed signals about its position on Jammeh’s human rights record.

The activists said the European Union has imposed some sanctions in response to human rights concerns, but the U.S. government has not taken any public actions even following the disappearance of two American citizens believed to have been abducted by Jammeh’s security forces in 2013, or when 14 students were gunned down for protesting the rape of a classmate by security police in a notorious 2000 incident. The activists called for the U.S. to take steps including banning visas and freezing assets of people close to Jammeh.

“What we are hoping is that this could be a catalyst. Maybe this could be a wake up call,” Manneh said. “Maybe [U.S. officials have] been asleep all this time. … If this serves that purpose, that would be awesome because then it benefits the LGBT community and the regular Gambians.”

Following a request for comment from BuzzFeed News, White House spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan issued a statement that said, “We remain concerned about ongoing reports of forced disappearances and arbitrary arrests, including of journalists, human rights advocates, and civil servants, as well as continued calls by senior officials for the persecution of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. We remain deeply disappointed in the Gambian government’s failure to investigate the disappearance of two U.S. citizens missing since June 2013.”

Meehan did not comment on whether asset freezes and travel bans might be imposed on Gambian officials as were imposed on Ugandan officials following passage of its anti-LGBT legislation, but said, “Protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, and we will be guided by these values as we respond to these negative developments in The Gambia.”

But mounting a campaign against Jammeh based on his attack on LGBT rights carries risks for human rights activists, the Gambians said. “Being gay in the Gambia … is not popular,” Manneh said. The activists contend that Jammeh “manufactured” a confrontation with the international community over LGBT rights in part to win popular support for his brutal regime at home.

“Jammeh is couching the entire debate [with the international community] on the issue of … gay rights, that Western countries want to impose that,” said Amadou Scattred Janneh, a former Gambian Minister of Information who was sentenced to life in prison for treason after distributing T-shirts with the slogan “End Dictatorship Now.” “We have to play a balancing act … making sure that we don’t lose focus on the overall human rights situation in the country.”

This is the 10-page list of executions, disappearances, and other human rights abuses under Jammeh’s rule compiled by Gambian human rights activists, which they say is only a partial list.

List Of Yahya Jammeh’s Human Rights Violation Prisoners executed in Mile 2 Prisons August 23, 2012:

1. Lamin B. Darboe
2. Alieu Bah
3. Lamin Jarju
4. Dawda Bojang 5. Malang Sonko
7. Lamin F Jammeh
8. Gibril Bah (Senegalese)
9. Tabara Samba, raped multiple times before her execution (Senegalese, female)

Gambians recently murdered on orders of Yahya Jammeh:
Abdoulie Colley, Abuko Village
Musa Badjie, collapsed and died in Mile 2 Prison, August 25, 2012 Wuyeh Colley, Kanunorr village, murdered August 22, 2012
Enor Colley, Kanunorr village, murdered August 22, 2012

Regime’s witching-hunting Kangaroo Trials:
GAMCOTRAP’s Dr. Isatou Touray and Co. trials
GNOC’s Beatrice Allen and Co. trials
Suruwa Wawa B. Jaiteh and Dr. Loum’s trials
Dr. Amadou Jallow and Co. trials
Dr. Alasan Bah and Co’s trials

Detained and kidnapped without trial & trace 2013-2014:
Alhaji Mamut Ceesay (Gambia born US citizen)
Lieutenant Colonel Solo Bojang (former Commander of the State Guards in Kanilai)
Mr Thomas Jarju (Commissioner of the Gambia Prison)
Ebou Jobe (Gambia born US citizen)
Mr Momodou Sowe (ex- Protocol Officer at the state house in Banjul)
Momodou Sabally (former Secretary General and Presidential Affairs Minister)

Recent arrest, detention and charged with treason:
Amadou Scattred Janneh, former minister of Information.
Ndey Tapha Sosseh, former president of the Gambia Press Union Mathew K. Jallow
Famara Demba
Modou Keita
Ebrima Jallow
Michael C. Uche Thomas (died in prison)

Torture and Yahya Jammeh’s convoy related deaths:
Demba Sibey of Numuyel village
A third grader from Saaba Primary School
A young girl killed Yahya Jammeh’s motorcade/Gunjur prayer fest
Paul Bass NIA operative killed by Jammeh’s convoy
Arab businessman dead in collided with Jammeh’s convoy
A soldier from Sintet village killed escorting Jammeh’s convoy
A little girl killed by convoy during Mauritanian President’s visit
A child killed by stampede for Jammeh’s biscuits at Sere Kunda market
In total since 1994 nearly twenty people; children and adults have died as a direct result of Yahya Jammeh’s speeding convoys and throwing biscuits into throngs of hungry crowds.

Executed and Murdered Civilians, journalists, and Military:
Ousman Koro Ceesay Deyda Hydara
Sidia Sanyang Ebrima Chief Manneh Omar Barrow
Lamin Sanneh
Ousman Ceesay
Sarjo Kunjang
Ebrima Barry
Ousman Ceesay
Saja Kujabi
Haruna Jammeh
Yaya Jammeh
Daba Marena
Staff Sergeant Manlafi Corr Sergeant Major Alpha Bah Lieut. Ebou Lowe
Lieut. Alieu Ceesay
Sgt. Fafa Nyang
Lieut. Basiru Barrow
Cpt. Sadibou Hydara
Lieut. Almamo Manneh
Lieut. Abdoulie Dot Faal
Lieut. Bakary Manneh
Lieut. Buba Jammeh
Lieut. Momodou Lamin Darboe Cadet Officer Sillah
Lieut. Basiru Camara Corpl. Mendy
Lieut. Gibril Saye
Sergeant Dumbuya Momodou Sowe

Gambians kidnapped, detained, released, in Jail or murdered between 1994-2014:
RSM Alpha Bah (executed
Major Ebrima Bah
Lt Momodou Alieu Ba
Corporal Samba Bah
Tijan Bahoum: Power Supply Director NAWEC Kemo Balajo: ex-National Intelligence Agency Foday Barry: ex-NIA; director of Intelligence Ourani Barry: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Lamin Bojang: Medical Research Council Ebrima Camara: ex-police officer
Omar Barru Camara: ex-MP APRC Captain Wassa Camara
2nd Lt Alieu Ceesay
Lamin Ceesay: Politician
Madi Ceesay: President, Gambia Press Union
Awa Darboe Cham: wife of alleged coup leader Ndure Cham Lamin Cham: ex-Daily Observer, BBC correspondent
Lamin Cham: Politician
Momat Cham: former minister
Momodou Cadi Cham: former politician
Superintendent Abdoulie Colley: ex-police officer
Retired Colonel Abdoulie Conteh: former KMC Mayor
Staff Sergeant Manlafi Corr
Captain Bunja Darboe
Lamin R. Darboe: Politician
Lamin Saiba Darboe
Captain Yaya Darboe
Adama Deen: former Managing Director Gambia Ports Authority Demba Dem: ex-MP APRC
Momodou Demba: Politician
Mariam Denton: Human Rights Lawyer
Raif Diab: Businessman
Ramzia Diab: former nominated MP, APRC
Musa Dibba: ex-NIA Director of Finance
Sheriff Mustapha Dibba: ex-Assembly Speaker
Baba Drammeh: ex-Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) officer
Omar Faal: Marabout
Ansumana Fadera: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Jerreh Fatty: Politician
Lamin Fatty: journalist, The Independent newspaper
Mariama Fatty: Politician
Kebba Faye: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Tamba Fofana: Head Master
Abdou Gafar: journalist, Daily Express newspaper
Lamin Gassama: Security Manager, Banjul International Airport Antouman Gaye: Lawyer
Pa Njie Guirigara: General Manager, VM
Sarane Hydara: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Captain Abdoukarim Jah
Karamo Jaiteh: former Managing Director, Gambia Roads Authority Suruwa Wawa B Jaiteh: former Permanent Secretary
Staff Sergeant Buba Jammeh Haruna Jammeh. Villager Kebbaringo Jammeh: Councilor Marcel Jammeh. Villager
Lance Corporal Babou Janha
Amie Jarju. Villager
Cherno Ndure Jarju: Politician
Lamin Jarsey: Politician
Tamsir Jassey: ex-Deputy Inspector General Police, Director of Immigration Dudu Kassa Jatta: Politician
Ousman Rambo Jatta: Councilor
Colonel Vincent Jatta: ex-Chief of Defense Staff (deceased)
Momodou Jaw: ex-IEC officer
Abdoulie Kanaji Jawla: MP, APRC
Baboucarr Jobarteh: ex-Protocol Officer
Maimuna Jobarteh: Politician
Abdou Jobe: Managing Director, NAWEC
Alieu Jobe: ex-Accountant General
Duta Kamaso: ex-MP, APRC
Kanyiba Kanyi: Politician
Lamin Keita: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Nato Keita: Politician
Abdoulie Kujabi: ex-Director General, NIA
Jasaji Kujabi
Dr. Badara Loum: ex-Permanent Secretary
Lt Ebou Lowe
Mustapha Lowe: College student
Bamba Manneh: ex-NIA operative
Mr Njogou Lamin Bah (another former Secretary General of the Civil Service and Minister for Presidential affairs)
Mr Amadou Sanneh, Malang Fatty, Sambou Fatty (officials of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP))
Chief Ebrima B. Manneh: journalist, Daily Observer newspaper
Fatou Jaw Manneh: journalist
Kebba Yorro Manneh: Politician
Daba Marena: ex-Director General, NIA
Malick M’boob: ex-Daily Observer, RV
Sulayman Sait M’boob: ex-Minister, IEC Commissioner
Sergeant Buba Mendy
Captain Pierre Mendy
Omar Ndow: former Managing Director of Gamtel/Gamcel
Ndondi S.Z. Njie: former Chairman of IEC
Alhagie Nyabally: ex-President, Gambia Student Union
Alassan Nyassi
Balla Nyass
Dr. Badara Loum: Former Permanent Secretary, Agriculture Private Alagie Nying: Gambia National Army
Sam Obi: Daily Express, RFI correspondent
Baba Saho: ex-NIA director, External Security
Musa Saidykhan: former Editor-In-Chief, The Independent newspaper Betrand Sambou
Dodou Sanneh: former journalist, GRTS
Ebrima Sillah Sanneh: ex-IEC officer
Lamin Sanneh: former Permanent Secretary Sergeant Abdoulie Sanyang
2nd Lt Pharing Sanyang: Gambia National Army Commander MB Sarr: Gambia National Army
Lt M. Savage: Gambia National Army
Ebou Secka: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Nourou Secka: ex-NIA operative
Momodou Senghore: ex-Senior Civil Servant Ousman Sey: Marabout
Musa Sheriff: journalist, Gambia News & Report magazine Amie Sillah: journalist, women activist
Alieu Singhateh: ex-NIA operative
Kebba Singhateh: Politician
Modou Sonko: journalist, Daily Observer newspaper Private Ebrima Sonko
Juldeh Sowe: journalist, The Independent newspaper Issac Success: journalist, Daily Express newspaper Azziz Tamba: Politician
Ebou Waggeh
Lt Lalo Jaiteh,Lt Omar Darboe, Capt Alhagie Kanteh fled Ebrima Barrow,
Ebrima Yarbo,
Momodou Marena, Dumo Saho
Private Lamin Bojang: escaped to Cassamance and in 1995 was abducted by security forces in Cassamance and not seen since.
Sgt Kabareh
WO2 Almamy Bojang
Binneh Minteh
Musa Mboob former Immigration Director
Andrew Silva SSHFC
Gumbo Ali Touray, former Director of International Affairs and Information at the University of The Gambia (UTG) was arrested, detained, taken to court and charged with “giving false information to a public officer

Arrest and Detention of Journalists:
Fatou Camara 2013
Sports Editor Nanama Keita, facing witch-hunting/Kangaroo Trial Ahmed Alota, arrested, detained, released
October 2005: Abdoulie Sey
2005: Musa Saidykhan
March 2006: Musa Saidykhan
March 2006: Madi Ceesay
April 2006: Lamin Fatty

Journalists on Exile in Senegal, Europe and the US:
Pa Ousman Darboe Alieu Badara Sowe Pa Ousman Darboe Musa Saidykhan Sulayman Makalo Omar Bah
Alhagie Mbye Ebrima Sillah Augustus Mendy Bankole Thompson Papa Colley Sulayman Darboe Fatou Jaw Manneh Pa Omar Jatta Momodou Thomas Musa Saidykhan Ansumana Badjie Pa Samba Jaw Sarjo Bayang
Pa Nderry Mbai Cherno Baba Jallow Ebrima Ceesay Baba Galleh Jallow Ebrima G. Sankareh Yankuba Jambang Mathew K. Jallow

Military/Security mysterious deaths:
Captain Tumbul Tamba Captain Musa Jammeh Colonel Vincent Jatta Lieut. Solomon Jammeh Pa M. Jallow
Manlafi Sanyang Boye Bah Momodou Bah Illo Jallow

Military/Security/Civilian recently detained:
Lang Tombong Tamba Bore Badjie
Omar Bun Mbye Demba Njie
Lamin Fatty
Yankuba Drammeh
Malamin Jarju
Kawsu (Bombardier) Camara Ngorr Secka, NIA
Ensa Badjie
Bun Sanneh
Sarjo Fofana

Military/Security/Civilians: detained, released, fled:
Captain Bunja Darboe Capt Yahya Darboe Capt. Wassa Camara 2nd Lt Pharing Sanyang Alieu Jobe
Tamsir Jasseh Omar Faal Demba Dem, Col. Ndure Cham Abdoulie Kujabi Kemo Balajo Alieu Singhateh Foday Barry Landing Sanneh

Executed Military and Security officers 2006:
Alieu Ceesay Alpha Bah Manlafi Corr Ebou Lowe Daba Marenah
Students Massacred April 11th. 2000:
Reginald Carrol Karamo Barrow Lamin A. Bojang Ousman Sabally Sainey Nyabally Ousman Sembene Bakary Njie
Claesco Pierra Momodou Lamin Njie Ebrima Barry
Wuyea Foday Mansareh Bamba Jobarteh Momodou Lamin Chune Abdoulie Sanyang Omar Barrow
Burama Badjie

Students Maimed, paralyzed, or otherwise critically injured by security forces during April 10/11, 2000 Demonstrations:
Yusupha Mbaye
Assan Suwareh
Abdokarim Jammeh
Sainey Senghore
Lamin Touray
Hundreds of students beaten, arrested, tortured, wounded

Gambians Missing and Disappeared Since 2005:
Ebrima (Chief) Manneh: arrested July 2006 Kanyiba Kanyi arrested September 2006 Haruna Jammeh arrested in 2005
Marcie Jammeh arrested in 2005 Alfusainey Jammeh arrested in 2005 Momodou Lamin Nyassi arrested in 2005 Ndongo M’boob arrested in 2006
Buba Sanyang arrested in 2006
Alieu Lowe arrested in March 2006,
Sgt. Sam Kambai arrested in 2006
Bakary Gassama arrested in 2007
Kebba Secka arrested in 2007
Ebrima Dibba arrested in May 2008,
Ebrima Kunchi Jammeh arrested in May 2008

Cases of Regime ordered Arsons against media personals:
August 8th. 2001, Radio Station 1 FM, was set ablaze around 2 a.m. in the morning, after proprietor George Christensen and his watchman were doused with hazardous chemicals in the hope of incinerating them. The two victims survived the ordeal, but the station was a total loss. August 10th. 2001, the home of Alieu Bah, Radio I FM journalist, who moderated debates and discussions between prominent personalities, was set ablaze around 3 a.m. while he, his wife and children were asleep. The family narrowly escaped death, but the house was gutted to the ground.

October 17th. 2003, The Independent Newspaper premises were set on fire around 3 a.m in the morning when three unidentified masked men stormed the building, assaulted the night watchman and then sprayed him with fire hazard chemical in the hope he would burn to death. But he luckily survived the assault. The premises were destroyed beyond recognition.

April 13th. 2004, the Kanifing printing facilities of the Independent Newspaper was set on fire around 2 a.m. by six individuals dressed in military fatigue. The printing machinery and other hardware equipment were completely destroyed.
August 15th. 2004, the home of B.B.C reporter, Ebrima Sillah was set on fire as he slept. He narrowly escaped.

Arrests, Detentions, Assassinations of Journalists:
September 19th. 2003, around 6 p.m. Abdoulie Sey, the Editor-in-Chief, The
Independent Newspaper was arrested from his office by intelligence agents and held incommunicado. He was released four days later.

September 2005, Musa Saidykhan, Editor-in-Chief, The Independent Newspaper, was detained for interrogation for a brief period of time shortly after returning from a South African journalist conference.

March 27th. 2006, Musa Saidykhan, Editor-in-Chief, The Independent Newspaper, was arrested again by security agents a few days after publishing an article critical of Yahya
Jammeh’s reactions in the wake of an alleged coup attempt on March 21, 2007. He was released after three weeks in detention.

March 2006, Madi Ceesay, The Independent General Manager, arrested by the regime’s agents, was released after three weeks of detention.
April 10th. 2006, Independent reporter, Lamin Fatty was arrested from his home by NIA
agents and released after two months in detention and charged with false publication.
April 25th. 2006, Independent receptionist, Juldeh Sowe, was arrested and released
after several hours.

July 7th. 2006, Daily Observer journalist, Ebrima Chief Manneh, was arrested by NIA
officials from the Observer premises, was seen in public once after two years detention, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, sick and emaciated. Six powerful U.S Senators; Edward Kennedy, Richard (Dick) Durbin, Russell (Russ) Feingold and Joe Lieberman among others wrote to Yahya Jammeh asking him to release Journalist Manneh after being held for nearly three years. Manneh has since been confirmed murdered by Jammeh’s agents.

dMay 24th. 2006, following the hacking of the online, Freedom Newspaper, five Gambian journalists whose names appeared on the paper’s readers list were arrested and detained for different lengths of time. After several months they were released. They are: Musa Sheriff, Pa Modou Faal, Lamin Cham, Sam Obi, Malick M’boob

On 16th December 2004 a well known Gambian journalist and proprietor of the weekly
Poin tNewspaper, Mr Deyda Hydara was assassinated by assailants suspected to be under the direct command of the recently demoted Commander of the Presidential Guards Unit, Brigadier General Alhaji Martin (alias Lagos) and the then Secretary of State for the Interior Ousman Sonko. To date no one has been charged let alone prosecuted for this heinous crime. The government commenced a shoddy investigation into the murder that ended up vilifying the memory of the victim rather than seek justice for his killing.

Other arbitrary arrests against journalist September 2006
A Gambia Radio and Television Services reporter, Dodou Sanneh, was arrested and detained, and later fired, rehired and fired again from his job government job.
March 28th. 2007, Fatou Jaw Manneh, a U.S. based Gambian journalist, was arrested at the airport, her traveling documents seized and charged with sedition. Her Kangaroo trial lasted more than a year. Her heavy fine was paid with donations from family and friends from all around the world.

December 16th. 2005, police ruffed Ramatoulie Charreh up after the participants in a
conference she attended, attempted to visit the spot where journalist Deyda Hydara was gunned down.

2006, Njaimeh Bah, Point Newspaper reporter, attacked by unknown assailants, was severely beaten.

December 12. 2006, Baron Eloagou, reporter for the Daily Express, was severely beaten by unknown assailants.

December 2006, Abdougafar Olademinji, reporter for the Daily Express, was attacked by unknown assailants and beaten severely.

June 14th. 2009, seven journalists and members of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), were rounded up from various locations by heavily armed paramilitary agents and
detained at NIA headquarters before being transferred to the notorious Mile 2 prison outside Banjul. The group listed below, were granted bail and charged with publishing seditious material and their case is ongoing despite protestations of regional and international organizations such as Media Foundation for West Africa, Amnesty International, Community to Protect Journalists.

Emil Touray, Secretary General Gambia Press Union Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Vice President, Gambia Press Union Pa Modou Faal, Treasurer, Gambia Press Union
Pap Saine, Managing Director, The Point Newspaper Ebou Sawaneh, Editor, The Point Newspaper, Sam Sarr, Managing Editor, The Foroyaa Newspaper Abubakr Saidy-Khan, journalist, Foroyaa newspaper.

June 16th. 2009, Abdulhamid Adiamoh, Publisher of Today Newspaper, was arrested for false publication and detained at National Intelligence headquarters. Forced to pleadguilty or face deportation back to Nigeria, he was fine an extortive amount of money or face six months jail time.

June 22nd. 2009, Augustine Kanja, a reporter for The Point Newspaper, was arrested and detained by security agents. He was released June 25th, 2009.

Attempted Murders, Fled Gambia:
Ousman Sillah: Attorney/Lawyer
Mai Fatty: Attorney/Lawyer

Foreign nationals executed in Gambia:
44 Ghanaians 2 Senegalese 1 Togolese
2 Nigerians
72 Ministers, Appointed and Fired:
Mass Axi Gai
Angela Colley
Kanja Sanneh
Neneh Macdoual-Gaye
Therese Ndong-Jatta (resigned)
Maba Jobe (hired & fired before taking office) Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe (resigned) Joseph Henry Joof (resigned)
Satang Jow (retired) Yankuba Kassama
Margaret Keita
Ousman Badjie
Samba Bah
Lamin Kaba Bajo
Musa Bittaye
Amie Bensouda
Fatou Bom Bensouda
John P. Bojang
Momodou Bojang
Nyimasata Sanneh
Bojang Mamat Cham
Ebrima Ceesay
Momodou Nai Ceesay
Ousman Koro Ceesay (murdered) Sulayman Massaneh Ceesay Bakary Bunja Dabo
Fasainey Dumbuya
Samba Faal
Omar Faye
Sadibou Haidara (murdered) Sheikh Tijan Hydara
Blaise Jagne
Balla Garba Jahumpa Momodou Sarjo Jallow
Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh Manlafi Jarju
Tamsir Mbowe
Dominic Mendy
Alieu Ngum
Bakary Njie
Omar Njie
Susan Waffa-Ogoo
Hawa Sisay Sabally
Sana B. Sabally
Abdoulie Sallah
Hassan Sallah
Momodou Sallah
Sidy Morro Sanneh
Kebba Sanyang Samsudeen Sarr
Cheyassin Secka
Musa Sillah
Edward Singhatey Raymond Sock
Amina Faal Sonko Baboucarr Jatta
Famara Jatta
Kumba Ceesay-Marenah Mustapha Marong
Fafa Mbai
Musa Mbenga
Sulayman Mboob Bolong Sonko
Bai Mass Taal Fatoumatta Tambajang Bemba Tambedou Yankuba Touray Crispin Grey Johnson Antouman Saho
Lamin Bojang
Marie Saine Firdaus Edward Gomez Mamburay Njie

Denial of Burial Rights to Exiled Dissidents
On the 09th July 2014, a veteran Gambia politician and former minister in the PPP government of Sir Dawda Jawara, Mr Boubacarr Michael Baldeh, who until his untimely death, lived in self- exil“““`e in Senegal, passed away suddenly. His body was being transported to his home town of Basse Mansajang, in the Gambia where he was an MP for many years but upon arrival at the border crossing into Gambia, his cortege was confronted by a contingent of the Gambian National Army, all fully armed, who informed the mourners that they received instructions from the State House in Banjul that the body should not be allowed to pass into Gambian territory. Mr Baldeh’s corpse was horridly buried in a neighbouring village in Senegal.

Yayah Jammeh’s Human Rights Violation 1994 – 2014 was compiled by Gambian Civil Society Organizations: CORDEG, GCC, GDAC, DUGA, STGDP & GMDD, Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia (CORDEG), Coalition for Change- the Gambia (CCG), the Democractic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA), the Campaign for Democratic Change in the Gambia (CDCG), Save The Gambia Democracy Group (STGDP), Gambia Democraic Action Group (GDAG), Gambia Human Rights Network (GHRN), SeneGambian Human Rights Defense League (SenGamHRDL), Gambia Consultative Consul, (GCC), and the Gambia Movement for Democracy and Development (GMDD)

This report is authored by J. Lester Feder of BuzzFeed News in Washington, DC.