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YAHYA JAMMEH: THE GAMBIAN DICTATOR WHO BETRAYED KUNTA KINTEH

Fatu Camara
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The Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa, has a reputation for being the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” thanks in part to its stunning coastline and abundance of natural beauty. What many outsiders forget, however, is that the country was at the heart of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Gambian lore is thus inherently linked to Kunta Kinteh, arguably Africa’s most famous slave whose epic refusal to bow to a slave-owners’ whip and chain is the stuff of legend.

Kinteh’s saga has come to symbolize the larger struggle for marginalized peoples everywhere to persevere against oppression and put a name to the thousands of faceless Africans who stood tall and forthright against the colossal aggression of the African slave trade.

For years the Gambian government, under the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh, has been cashing in on the Kunta Kinteh appeal to boost tourism and guard its image from condemnation over massive human rights abuses. The contrast between the generations of Kinteh and Jammeh is stark, particularly when viewed through the prism of slavery and bondage on the one hand, and post-independence political excesses on the other.

Since 2003, The Gambia’s tourism ministry has been organizing the International Roots Homecoming Festival. The purpose of the event is to act as a staging post for the emotive “homecoming” of people from the Diaspora. Through the years, the festival has become a major international event, attracting a number of renowned black artists.

While the legacy of Kunta Kinteh has been helping The Gambia draw positive attention over the years, the country’s citizens, since 1994, have been suffering under one of the most heinous and unaccountable dictatorships on the African continent. Yahya Jammeh (known officially as Sheikh Professor Doctor Alhaji Yahya Abdoul Aziz Jamus Junkung Jammeh Nasirul Deen Babibli Mansa) has been referred to as a megalomaniacal dictator and is renowned for his bizarre public outbursts. Jammeh also claims to have the power to cure HIV/AIDS, and most recently, Ebola.

During Jammeh’s two-decade reign, the arrest and detention of journalists and regime critics has become the norm. Arbitrary executions, torture, and enforced disappearances are so commonplace that the international community barely bats an eye when information about such crimes trickles out. Gambian torture victims narrate ordeals they have suffered at the hands of a “secret section” of the security forces known ominously as the Junglers, who run covert torture chambers throughout the country. These victims tell spine-chilling stories of electric shock, whipping, and bone-breaking sessions.

Jammeh also stands out in a class of his own for his frequent and menacing anti-gay vitriol. During The Gambia’s independence anniversary in February of this year, for example, Jammeh castigated LGBT people as “dangerous vermin” that must be fought with the same vigor and urgency that the government battles malaria. Most recently, he was filmed during a “Meet the People” tour, exclaiming enthusiastically: “Whoever wants to advocate for gay or lesbian rights, we will kill you like a dog…if the West wants gays and lesbians to have rights, let them get visas and resettle them.”

In the days of Kunta Kinteh, people were bought and sold as slaves. In modern-day Gambia, it’s a different kind of enslavement in which basic human rights are denied or severely restricted, where Gambians are herded as “free labour” and forced to till Jammeh’s land across the country. These scenes are painfully and eerily reminiscent of the forced slave-labor system witnessed on plantations in the American South.

To be clear, some Gambians are propelled by a genuine desire to work for His Excellency, but a great deal are forced to participate out of fear of losing their jobs or running the risk of being branded opposition sympathizers, a transgression that often leads to prison time. In a country where arbitrary detentions are rampant and widespread, and fair trials are the exception to the general rule, Gambians understandably go to great lengths not to cross the Jammeh regime.

Unlike the era of slavery during Kunta Kinteh’s lifetime, no one in The Gambia, save for the country’s ever-rising prison population, is shackled in physical chains. In today’s Gambia, those shackles are more psychological, thanks to widespread fear and anxiety that force people to whisper opinions even in the relative safety of bedrooms. For Gambians today, the choice is between living a lifetime in shackles or choosing a life of exile. To take but one example, over 100 journalists have fled the country due to persecution since 1994, the year President Jammeh came to power through his “bloodless coup.”

The political opposition has no access to the state media, which has become a transparent propaganda outlet for the Jammeh regime. It’s up to the police, an unabashed apparatus of the ruling party, to determine if a permit should be issued for an opposition rally. Several years ago, an opposition leader was jailed for one year for holding a megaphone in public without a permit.

Dissenters are refused travel documents. Even religion is not spared. A prominent imam is currently on trial for holding Eid prayers on a day different from that of the government. A former minister was jailed for life for printing t-shirts with the slogan “End dictatorship now.”

The overseer and enabler of this misery is Jammeh’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the omnipresent institution of oppression, which leave their indelible marks on the public mind about what awaits dissenters who refuse to toe the regime’s line.

Taken together, the Gambian government, which is single-handedly controlled by President Jammeh, plays the part of a 21st century slave master. Somehow, there are still apologists who dismiss the mounting human rights abuses as hogwash, as lies fabricated by the “imperialist West.” The Gambia is, by the apologists’ reckoning, a land in which people enjoy a culture of free speech and peaceful assembly, a country worthy of the “Smiling Coast of Africa” moniker.

What a tragic misnomer. And what a disservice to the land that gave Kunta Kinteh, and the struggle that he embodied, to the world. Kinteh’s story and his legacy collectively appeal to the universal yearning for basic human dignity to which all citizens of the world are entitled to, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

President Jammeh, and his henchmen in The Gambia, would be well served to recall this enduring legacy and to act accordingly.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Aisha Dabo is a Gambian journalist. You can follow her on Twitter at @MashaNubian and Jeffrey Smith is senior advocacy officer at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Follow him on Twitter at @Smith_RFKennedy.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO GAMBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES CRITICIZED

Fatu Camara
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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.”

U.S. IGNORED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES UNTIL LGBT PEOPLE WERE UNDER ASSAULT, SAYS ACTIVISTS

Fatu Camara
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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.

2SUPPORT OUR FUNDRAISER FOR DETAINED VICTIMS OF HOMOPHOBIA IN THE GAMBIA

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Since the 7th November 2014, a group of 12 men, women and a boy, is held incommunicado in The Gambia, West Africa, on suspicion of being gays and lesbians or LGBTs. More arrests are anticipated from a list with about 200 names compiled by the country’s secret police, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Apart from the usual written protest by rights groups and the prejudicial remarks by religious hypocrites, no prominent person, Gambian or non-Gambian, has gone further in taking decisive action for the detainees to be given the chance to defend themselves before the courts of competent jurisdictions that should prove their guilt. Until then, they remain innocent.

Since the publication of my thought-provoking essay titled “The Gambia’s problem is bisexuality and religious hypocrisy; not homosexuality”, I find myself in the national discourse on this sensitive topic. Some bigots tried to blackmail me over it and called me all sorts of names.

During my first Gambian visit in 2012, I was surprised by live viewers’ questions on homosexuality when I appeared on that taboo-shaking episode of The Fatu Show. While many people chose silence, blind support for the anti-gay narrative or half-hearted calls for the respect of pluralism, I chose to shake the conventions by placing the mirror before The Gambian Society. In my that “Whats On Gambia” interview, I was asked about homosexuality. Every now and then, people do contact me on my stance on the issue.

This statement explaining the purpose of our NTI XANNEN fundraiser is not about fighting the government or promoting homosexuality and queer lifestyles. It is about strengthening social justice and equality before the law, be it Common, Customary or Sharia, without prejudice.

Even those hiding behind religion and culture to spew out homophobic comments cannot quote relevant sections of the Sharia code that call for impunity. All progressive and civilized religions and cultures create rooms for the due process of the law to be applied for all without discrimination. If someone is accused of adultery, theft, murder and other crimes in a Secular or theocratic context, the adjudication process must follow proper procedures.

When Amina Lawal of Northern Nigeria was dragged before a local Sharia court on allegations of adultery, a crime many hypocrites condemning homosexuality are committing round the clock, the higher courts in Nigeria subsequently threw out the case as Mrs Lawal was not treated fairly from the onset.

Defending religion and culture without respecting their prescribed religious guidelines on the delivery of justice is outright hypocrisy. It is unconstitutional, un-Islamic and un-African to detain people or deny them their basic rights without the due process. The suspected Gambian gays and lesbians were placed in detention for more than three weeks. This is far beyond the 72-hour constitutional detention limit guaranteed to every human being within the Jurisdiction of The Gambia. This denial of rights is fundamentally wrong and overtly un-Islamic. The accused persons should either be taken to court or sent back home to rebuild their livelihoods that are now destroyed through stigma and prejudice.

My NTI XANNEN medium and I are launching this fundraiser as part of my established humanitarian engagement both in public and private. When the GAMCOTRAP ladies were dragged to court, I participated in a Maafanta.com fundraiser for them. When domestic journalists were arrested for requesting peaceful demonstration permits, I contributed to a fund-raising appeal for them. I can go on and on.

As a goodwill ambassador for minorities and threatened peoples, I cannot cherry-pick by speaking out for vulnerable women and natives and leaving out the sexual minorities.

Nobless oblige. Since people are reluctant to fight harder for persons suspected of being Gambian LGBTs for whatever reason, I cannot abandon my social responsibility. Unlike some of the lousy moral and political hypocrites here and there, I am not desperate for government jobs and contracts and I do not need the blessings of any hate preacher to go to heaven hereafter.

If compassion and humanitarian solidarity are crimes before God and Man, then I am ready to go to hell or die in jail. I am not begging or running after anyone to contribute to this fundraiser as this is not a common begging programme for charities. I am providing my brand name and status as platforms for those who want to promote social justice and make a concrete point against discrimination of a voiceless minority that is being abused as bargaining commodity for religious and political agenda. Those who wish to contribute are welcomed.

The detractors who just want to be spoilers and engage in the usual “garewalleh”, gossips, idle talks and fabrication of tales against this noble cause in order to appease the establishments are free to dance on their keyboards and smart phones against me.

This fundraiser is meant to primarily support the suspected LGBTs in their quest for justice. Depending on the amount raised, the balance would be used to help them rebuild their lives with income-generating activities that could make them live independently and productively in society.

I will remain accountable to only those who contribute to the fundraiser through the indicated GO FUND ME portal below or other anonymous means that can be explained upon request to my email or inbox.

As the saying goes, put your money where your mouth is. Anyone who is interested in being kept updated on the way the generated funds would be spent in supporting the suspected LGBT detainees in The Gambia, he or she should first chip in something to prove his or her seriousness. A confidential line of communication with donor/patrons will be maintained and the strict Data and Privacy Protection Laws of Germany will be applied.

Those who with serious questions to ask are free to email me at:

Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu

http://www.gofundme.com/Gambiajustice4LGBT

http://www.ntixannen.com/humanitarian-action.html

NTIXANNEN.COM

RFK CENTER CONDEMNS SWAZI COURT DECISION NOT TO DISMISS CHARGES AGAINST A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER AND A JOURNALIST

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The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights have released a statement today strongly condemning a decision by a the Supreme Court of Swaziland. Charges against human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu will not be dismissed, the court decided. Just like the case of many Gambian journalists who are prosecuted on “senseless” charges like a story with a headline “ruling party supporters cross carpet to the opposition,” earlier this year, a Swazi court convicted the duo for contempt of the court in what was seen as a major blow to journalism and human rights in Swaziland.

Below is the statement from the RFK Center:

“We strongly and collectively condemn the decision issued this morning by the Supreme Court of Swaziland to reject the dismissal of charges against human rights attorney Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu. Today’s decision was announced without comment or explanation from the presiding judges, in violation of widely recognized international legal standards. The conviction and continued detention of Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu violates the constitution of Swaziland, as well as regional and international legal commitments that the country has signed and ratified.

Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu have been imprisoned for nearly 300 days. They were arrested in March of this year, following the publication of articles in which they criticized the arrest of a government vehicle inspector who, in the performance of his official duties, had impounded a judge’s car due to suspected improper use. Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu’s arrests were immediately challenged in court. On April 6, Judge Mumcy Dlamini dropped the charges against them, saying the arrests were “unconstitutional, unlawful and irregular.” Three days later, Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi ordered the two men re-arrested, after which a highly irregular trial ensued, ultimately resulting in their conviction in July. Mr. Maseko and Mr. Makhubu were given severe and disproportionate sentences of two years in prison and a significant fine.

Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu have been declared prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. In addition, a wide range of international human rights organizations, including the American Bar Association, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Commission of Jurists, the International Federation for Human Rights, Freedom House, the American University Washington College of Law Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law, and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, have condemned their conviction and unlawful detention. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, several United Nations Special Rapporteurs, and a growing list of high profile figures have spoken out on their behalf.

Today, the Supreme Court of Swaziland had the opportunity to correct a grave miscarriage of justice. Instead, it issued yet another flawed decision – in a series of already irregular and suspect decisions in this case – grounded neither in the fair and impartial application of the law or in the administration of due process.

Today, there is no justice in Swaziland.

In light of these developments, the ongoing miscarriage of justice against human rights defenders, and based on the findings of our recent delegation visit to Swaziland, we call for the:

 Immediate and unconditional release of Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu;

 Prompt administration of a fair, impartial and timely appeal;

 End of the ongoing harassment and intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders;

 Support, both public and private, for free expression and an independent media in Swaziland.

For more information on this case and international advocacy efforts, please visit www.swazijustice.org.”

Fatu’s message to Eumeu Sene

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Fatu’s message to Eumeu Sene

THREE PEOPLE ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF BEING GAY; OTHERS ON THE RUN AS JAMMEH SEEKS ANOTHER MAJOR DISTRACTION

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Reports reaching Fatu Radio have indicated Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh is finally making good on his promise that gays and lesbians are not welcomed in The Gambia and if anyone is caught on suspicion of being one, he or she will “regret being born”. Over the weekend at least three men were arrested on suspicion of being gay at the Duplex Nightclub and are currently detained at National Intelligence Agency in Banjul.

Alieu Sarr (pictured above – L), Morr Sowe (pictured above – R) and Kemo Sanneh (17 year old) are all in custody on suspicion of being gay.

The arrest has sent a shocking wave of fear throughout the gay community in the tiny West African nation resulting to many fleeing to neighboring countries fearing that Jammeh might carry out his threats.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 also saw another group of gays fleeing to neighboring countries including a group of lesbians for fear of getting caught in the dragnet.

It has been brought to our attention that the investigators are now going from home to home with a man suspected to be gay to identify other gay people in the community. “This has caused a lot of concerns among Gambians” according to one of the NIA agents who spoke to us on condition of anonymity and is part of the arresting officers. The agent described the operation as a “witch-hunt,” lamenting that they cannot even identify who is gay or not.

President Yahya Jammeh who has made his hatred for gays and lesbians no secret, has been issuing threat after threat against the community for a long time. He has also backed up his threats with legislative action. The Gambia amended the criminal code last August to include a life sentence for “aggravated homosexuality”. This move was condemned by Human Rights groups and the international community as harsh and unjust.

“We will fight these vermin called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively.”

“Homosexuality is anti-humanity. I have never seen homosexual chicken or turkey.”

“Homosexuality is anti-god, anti-human, and anti-civilization. Homosexuals are not welcome in the Gambia. If we catch you, you will regret why you are born. I have buffalos from South Africa and Brazil and they never date each other. We are ready to eat grass but we will not compromise on this. Allowing homosexuality means allowing satanic rights. We will not allow gays here.”

“Let me make it very clear that, if you want me to offend God for you to give me aid, you are making a great mistake; you will not bribe me to do what is evil and ungodly.”

“Gays are ‘vermin’ and should be treated worse than mosquitoes.”

Yahya made these comments in speeches across the Gambia and the world including the UN General Assembly Session is 2013 and during the State Opening of the Parliament, a form a State of the Union address.

Political observers and analysts have opined that this latest move is yet another distraction strategy from the Gambia’s iron fist Jammeh. The want-to-be “King” of mainland Africa’s smallest country is facing increased opposition on the ground as rumors of efforts by youths to organize mass protests in the country are growing. “He is therefore trying to use gays as pawns to shift attention from the general discontent among the population since anti-gay actions are still popular among the majority Muslim population,” the observers and analysts agreed.

“We should fear the worst at this point since some or all of those arrested can be killed any moment if the International community and gay rights groups don’t intervene. We have seen this movie before with the execution of 9 mostly political prisoners back in August 2012,” one of the members of the Gambian gay community lamented.

At this moment, some of the members of the gay community are on the run and in neighboring countries are currently homeless with nowhere to stay and without food.

UDP Press Release On The Party Leader’s Non-Participation At The Civil Society Forum 2/10/2015

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Earlier this month UDP received an invitation from Dr. Scattred–Janneh to a meeting called Civil Society Forum on the Gambia being organized to discuss matters relating to the political situation in the Gambia in New York. It was learnt that leaders of other Gambian opposition parties were also invited.

Initially, the UDP Leader accepted the invitation and had planned to attend personally. However, due to unexpected circumstances beyond his control, he couldn’t make the journey to America. The National Executive of the party nominated Honorable Momodou Sanneh as a replacement and communicated this change to the organizers of the meeting in good time, at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. In response, the organizers indicated their inability to fund Honorable Momodou Sanneh’s trip on the grounds that the nomination came “when the organization was already over budgeted”. The party leader and the UDP National Executive found this reason rather strange since there must have been a budget set aside to cover the Party leader’s participation, i.e. air ticket, hotel accommodation etc. Selective and substitutive representation of an organization at such fora is common and understandable practice, and usually accommodated.

Secondly, with the nomination of Honorable Sanneh, the UDP would have been adequately represented, like the other participating parties, by a top official, who would have been endowed with full powers by the Executive and Party Leader to speak for and act on behalf of the United Democratic Party. Thirdly, Honorable Sanneh, it should be noted, is one of the most senior members of the National Executive of the UDP and was the former Minority Leader in the National Assembly. He is therefore, in his own right ,an astute and very knowledgeable politician who would have brought immense knowledge and experience to the proceedings of the New York meeting which would have definitely enriched the discussions and widen its results.

We all know that multi-party democracy and competitive liberal electoral politics can hardly work without organized political parties. They provide the platform for like-minded citizens to participate collectively in a political process that would otherwise be left in the hands of a small elitist group, detached rom the masses of citizenry.

The UDP reiterate its long held willingness and readiness to participate at all times in any forum aimed at discussing ways and means of rescuing our country from the clutches of tyranny and decadence.

The UDP hopes that with this statement, the subject of its non-participation at the New York meeting which has led to certain innuendoes and mischaracterization in the media would be laid to rest.

Finally, we extend our felicitations to the organizers of the Civil Society meeting for organizing this encounter bringing together Gambian stakeholders and friends of the Gambia and others to discuss issues of the Gambia’s present problems and its future.

UDP DIASPORA

10/3/2015

As Tajudeen Winds Up Business Activity In The Gambia, Families Fear For Desperate Times Ahead

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It is now official. The Tajudeen Business Empire in the Gambia is finally winding up for an eventual close-down after Gambia’s dictator Yahya Jammeh unceremoniously expelled the business tycoon from the Gambia accusing him of selling expired chicken legs to the unsuspecting populace. According to sources, Tajudeen’s businesses including the famous Kairaba Shopping Centre are now put up for sale by a local bank.

Tajudeen whose Business Empire is named after himself has since been residing in the neighbouring Senegal. The choice of Senegal could not be a better business option for Tajudeen  because since his unceremonious expulsion from the Gambia, Tajudeen has established outlets in Guinea Bissau while he uses Dakar, a strategically located city for commerce in the subregion as his operational base.

The move to finally windup all business operations in the Gambia has been greeted with panic and fear not only among his employees and ordinary people but also among government circles as well. Tajudeen is the biggest tax payer in The Gambia and at the peak of his business activity, he was paying nothing less than D50 million dalasi as tax every month. As the biggest importer of chicken and other food items in The Gambia, he used to import up to 300 containers monthly providing the much needed income to clearing agents, truck drivers and labourers a the Ports Authority.

In a country where unconfirmed unemployment figures show that up to 65 of young people are not in gainful employment, news of Tajudeen closing down operations in the Gambia has sent shockwaves among his employees numbering up to 700. A large number of local business in the informal sector that serve as agents selling his chicken legs around the country are also worried about huge business loses.

In addition, some senior officials at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), the government agency responsible for tax collection, told Fatu Radio that with the closure of Tajudeen’s businesses in the country, it would be difficult now for the GRA to meet monthly tax collection targets.

One GRA official told Fatu Radio “with his monthly tax at D50 million, Tajudeen’s annual tax contribution to the state used to be between 600 – 700 million Dalasis. This is almost a quarter of our entire annual budget.”

Fatu Radio has confirmed that Gambia’s President, dictator Jammeh has made repeated personal pleas for Tajudeen to come back but the business tycoon has refused siting the erratic behaviour of Jammeh and his unpredictability in dealing with not only his perceived enemies but even his friends and business people as well.

There are some concerns however that the erratic Gambian leader whose ego is now permanently bruised by Tajudeen’s refusal to come back to the Gambia, could use his personal ties with the President of Guinea Bissau to create problems for the business tycoon.

For now though ordinary people employed by of Tajudeen and indeed the government itself are paying a heavy price in terms of loss in gainful employment and much needed tax revenue because of President Jammeh’s erratic behaviour and greed.

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