Members of European Parliament call to free Eskinder

On December 18, 16 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) wrote an open letterto Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn calling for the immediate release of the independent journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega, who was condemnedin July to 18 years in prison under the country's tough 2009 anti-terrorism legislation.

More can be done to get justice for Deyda Hydara

Deyda Hydara and his wife Maria circa 1989 (Hydara family)

In the eight years since unidentified assailants shot and killed Deyda Hydara of the Gambia, no one has been held to account. The late 2004 murder of Hydara, an immensely respected editor, columnist, and press freedom advocate known for his criticism of President Yahya Jammeh's repressive media policies, became a rallying point for Gambian journalists and the human rights community--a symbol of the violent means by which activists and journalists are silenced and of the impunity that envelops acts of intimidation, ranging from arson to torture and murder.

President Yayi Boni causes suspension of two television programmes

 

The High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC), the media regulatory body, on November 22, 2012 announced the suspension of two interactive programmes, Actu matin and Arbre à Palabre, both on privately-owned television station, Canal 3 Benin, upon the request of Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni, President of the Republic of Benin.

‘The Gambian government must guarantee the safety of Journalist Abubacarr Saidykhan’

Saidykhan

The Committee to Protect Journalists has said the government of the Gambia must guarantee the security of Abubacarr Saidykhan, a freelance journalist.

GAMCOTRAP: AN END TO A LONG JOURNEY FOR JUSTICE!

L-R: Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissoho

We give thanks and appreciation to Almighty Allah Subhanahu watalla, our families, friends, partners and well wishers for being with us all through this tribulation that Allah has bestowed upon us. We give glory to the highest, the king of Kings, Giver and Reckoner of who does what. The Lord Almighty has redeemed us from all darkness and brought the light to the public that we are not guilty of the false allegation.

We were requested by the National Drug Enforcement Agency/National Intelligence Agency to report to the Police Headquarters in Banjul. After a long wait without any explanation, we were led into a cage at the police station where we spent the night on a mattress infested with lice and bugs.

Dr Touray, Amie Bojang-Sissoho Freed

Banjul Magistrate has found two prominent women’s rights defenders not guilty of stealing €30, 000.00 as alleged by the state.
Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director and Amie Bojang   Sissoho, Programme coordinator, of The Gambia committee for Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) have been on trial for almost two years.

Court to Issue Verdict in Two Prominent Women’s Rights Defenders Tomorrow

Dr Touray on the right hand and Amie on the left

The Banjul Magistrates’ Court will issue a verdict in the alleged theft case of two prominent women’s rights defenders tomorrow, November 12.

 Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director and Amie Bojang   Sissoho, Programme coordinator, of The Gambia committee for Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) are on trial on a charge of theft.

Suspected killer of journalist arrested by Police

Ebrahim Foday

 

Tunde Williams, a suspected murderer of Ibrahim Foday, a reporter of privately-owned Freetown-based Exclusive newspaper, was on November 3, 2012 arrested at Kamakwei, a town north of the country by officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leonean Police Service.

Gambia Press Union boycotts a forum meant to discuss way forward for the media Members say nothing warrants such a decision

Emil Touray, GPU President

(Gambia News Online)

The leadership of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) has decided to boycott stakeholders’ forum in which it’s invited as a “main stakeholder” to discuss the preliminary report that gives an overview of the findings on the situation of the journalists and media in The Gambia.

Guinea-Bissau expels Portuguese journalist; another flees into hiding

New York, November 1, 2012-The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Monday's decision by authorities in Guinea-Bissau to expel Portuguese journalist Fernando Teixeira Gomes from the country in connection with his critical coverage of the transitional government.

The Ministry of Communications sent a letter to Gomes, chief of the news bureau of Portugal's state broadcaster Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP) in the Guinean capital, Bissau, ordering him to leave the country the same week, Agence France-Presse reported. RTP Director of Information Nuno Santos said in an interview with Portuguese news agency LUSA that Gomes was leaving Guinea-Bissau and would arrive in Portugal on Friday.

Gambians Signing Up for the One Billion Rising Africa

 

GAMCOTRAP has mobilized individuals from Nineteen (19) organizations/ institutions working to promote the rights of women and children in the Gambia.  They were briefed on the initiative on the One Billion Rising pioneered by V-Day and the Africa Regional meeting held in Nairobi.  They were requested to reflect on any of the forms of violence against women just because she as a vagina, whether it is Female genital Mutilation, early and Forced Marriage, Rape and sexual abuse, denial of education, etc.  They signed up to the One Billion Rising because they want to rise up and say no to violence against women and girls. 

Gamcotrap Pleads on Behalf of Female Prisoners For Pardon

Dr. Isatou Touray

 

Gamcotrap, a Women’s right NGO that fight for the elimination of harmful practices against women and girls’ has urged president Jammeh to take note of the female prisoners who also deserve to be considered in his amnesty.

Below is the full letter address to the President.

The Central River Region North of the Gambia is Poised to Protect Girls from FGM

Dr. Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissaho

Under the support of the UNFPA Gambia Government Country Programme 2012, four hundred and fifty –seven (457) participants from one hundred and Seven (107) communities in the Central River Region North have benefitted from a series of training programmes.  The programme targeted Women Leaders, Women of Reproductive Age and male and female Youths hosted in nine Cluster Villages namely Janjanbureh, Nyoro Tukulorr, Njau Sey Kunda, Dobo, Kuntaur, Jahaur, Wassu, Banni and Kaur. 

President Jammeh Orders Charges be Drop Against The Two Journalist

 

(Daily News) The Justice Minister of the Gambia, Lamin Jorbateh in a verbal statement after consultation with his Legal Secretary and Solicitor General Mr. Pa Harry Jammeh finally freed the two journalist on 23rd of October 2012 in Banjul. The two were told in the minister’s office by the minister that the President has called on the relevant authorities to immediately drop the charges leveled against the them.

Gambia’s Supreme Court Upheld Ex-CDS Tamba & Co’s Death Sentence

 


 

The treason convicts condemned to death on Friday, 19 have their death sentence appeal rejected by the Supreme Court of the Gambia, the country’s highest court of law.

Former Army defense chief, Lang Tombong Tamba, ex-deputy defense chief Omar Bun Mbye, ex-intelligence chief Lamin BO Badjie, ex-deputy police chief Modou Gaye, ex-senior military officer Kawsu Camara alias Bombardier, ex-Gambian diplomat Gibril Ngorr Seck and a business tycoon Abdoulie Joof, alias Lie Joof were convicted and sentenced to death by Justice Amadi in June 2010 despite denying allegations of attempting to overthrow Gambian government in 2009.

'Every child has a right to live without exploitation'

Add caption

 

Exploitation can come in many ways but every child has the right to live their life free from exploitation from those who should protect them, says United Kingdom’s deputy High Commissioner to The Gambia.

George Sheriff said exploitations especially sexual exploitation happens in the families and communities in The Gambia, and that it is the responsibility of all to combat it. ”It is our responsibility to ensure that not only do we identify it, and report it, but to sensitive others to play a more proactive role in countering it,” he said.

TAKE ACTION: Drop Charges against two journalists, MFWA Demands

Journalist Ceesay and Saidykhan

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is utterly dismayed at the sluggish attitude of the Gambian police service in handling the case of the two journalists who are facing criminal charges in Gambia.

The MFWA calls on all Gambians living in the Diaspora, individuals and all organisations to condemn the situation and call on the authorities to drop the charges immediately.

Supreme Court to issue verdict in Lt. Tamba and Co. Appeal

 

The Supreme Court of the Gambia will issue a verdict in the appeal of former Chief of Defense and six others next Friday.

 This announcement came after both the state and defense counsels adopted their briefs today before chief justice, Emmanuel A. Agim.

 They were convicted in 2010 after Prosecutors allege they attempted to overthrow Gambia government in 2009. Despite denying allegations 

Togo ALERT: Security forces manhandle journalist

Anani, a journalist of the Crocodile weekly was on October 5, 2012 physically assaulted by police officers while covering their (police) clamp down on demonstrators belonging to opposition and human rights groups in Lome, the capital.

The assault on the journalist left him unconscious following a knock he received from one of the police officers, and was rushed to a hospital where he was revived.

ECOWAS Court Partners UNDP to Host International Conference

 

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS in collaboration with UNDP West-

Central regional office in Dakar is organizing an international conference on the

theme Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance: Role of the

ECOWAS Court of Justice. The conference is scheduled to hold from the 15th to

19th October, 2012 in Accra, Ghana.

The theme for the conference is topical as it signifies the direction that ECOWAS

stakeholders should pursue and the role of ECOWAS Court of Justice in

promoting and ensuring human rights protection, democracy and good governance

in West Africa. The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS was established as

the legal and judicial framework for the economic integration of the region.

According to the co-organisers of the international conference, the discussions

around the theme will bring to fore, insight and strategies relevant to the

realization of the set objectives.

Presentations will be made on two sub-themes. The first sub-theme is Community

Legislation on Democracy, Good Governance and Human Rights. Papers to be

presented on this sub-theme include The Legal Instruments on Democracy, Good

Governance and Human Rights: Key Concepts and Shared Values; The

Constitutional Principles Common to ECOWAS States for Democratic

Governance; and Democracy, Good Governance and Human Rights: an Overview

of the ECOWAS Sub-Region.

The second sub-theme is titled The Role of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in

the Consolidation of Democracy, Good Governance and Human Rights. And

papers on it include - Contribution of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in

Strengthening Democracy and Human Rights Protection; Strengthening the Role

of the Court in the Promotion of Democracy and Good Governance: Challenges

No. 10 DAR ES SALAAM CRESCENT,

OFF AMINU KANO CRESCENT,

WUSE II, ABUJA-NIGERIA.

PMB 567 GARKI, ABUJA

TEL/FAX:234-9-5241595/ 5240780

Website: www.courtecowas.org

COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE,

ECOWAS

COUR DE JUSTICE DE LA COMMUNAUTE,

CEDEAO

TRIB UNAL DE JUSTIÇA DA COMUNIDADE,

CEDEAO

and Prospects; and Framework for Cooperation between the Community

(ECOWAS) Court of Justice and the national courts and external partners.

The UNDP regional office will also make a presentation on its policy of

promoting democracy and rule of law in West Africa and the expected role of the

legal and judicial institutions in the region.

The International conference is designed to be a gathering of legal and judicial

practitioners from ECOWAS institutions, national courts of member States, other

regional courts, external partners, bar associations, scholars, civil society groups

and other relevant stakeholders.

For further information, visit the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS website

at www.courtecowas.org or contact the Information Officers using the contact

details below:

Contacts:

Felicien Hounkanrin (Information Officer)

Cell Phone: 0803-786-3972

Email: fhounkarin@courtecowas.org

Elohor Ovadje (Information Officer)

Cell Phone: 0803-335-4281, 0818-448-2456

Email: elovadje@gmail.com, eovadje@courtecowas.org

Flood Causes Havoc in Nema Kunku, Gov’t Urged to Intervene

Almost 40 houses were flooded on Monday in Nema Kunku, in Kombo North,West Coast Region, after a heavy downpour which lasted for almost three days.

Many of the residents were left homeless and more houses were on the verge of collapsing, residents decried, forcing some to relocate.

“The situation is very sad and the people need help, especially those who lost their belongings,” Pa Lamin Jatta, National Assembly Member for Kombo North, told The Daily News.

WFP, EU Rescue Rural Children after 2011 Crop Failure

 

WFP’s country director

Rural women in the Upper Baddibu District on Wednesday 22 gathered at Ngeyen Sanjal, most of whose children were identified malnourished that needed referral for specialized treatment to receive food for their children.
As the world’s forefront organisation fighting hunger, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the European Union gave out vegetable oil and micronutrient fortified super cereal to save young children from malnutrition and death, especially in the hunger season.
The WFP, jointly with the National Nutrition Agency, targeted 25, 000 children under five for three months living in 14 districts with high rates of wasting which is above 10 percent and experiencing food stress in Ngeyen Sanjal.

Public Demand Explanation for The Closure of Taranga FM

Taranga FM boss, Mr Ceesay

 

Almost 12 solid days after Taranga FM was shut down, members of the public have demanded explanation from the Gambia government for shutting down the privately-owned community radio station at Sinchu Alagie.

Security officers reportedly from the National Intelligence Agency on Tuesday 14 August ordered the station to close down operation with immediate effect.

Taranga is the only radio station that reviews local newspapers both in English and local languages which attracted public attention, even though many attempts were made by the authorities to close it down.

Mandory Women Decry Bad Roads, Markets Urge Government to Put Aside Symbolic Gesture

 

With solemn voices, Gambian women in the rural village of Mandory, Central Baddibu District, North Bank Region, have recently lamented the poor road and lack of good transportation to sell their goods after spending hours under the hot sun. Women’s Bantabaa agreed, owing to the deafening cries of these women, especially rural women.
During a discussion with these rural women, they raised concern over the bad state of some of the major roads in the district, fertilizers and fencing materials. They said bad roads and lack of markets were negatively affecting their business, on which they depend for their living.

Kah’s Professorship Still an Issue

Prof. Kah

Mr Gumbo Touray

The controversy surrounding the professorship claims of the first Gambian-born vice chancellor of University of The Gambia, Mohammadou M.O. Kah, refuses to die down, weeks after it surfaced.
On Thursday August 9, Mr Gumbo Touray, a former UTG lecturer, insisted in court that Kah’s professorship claims were false, as he did not meet the requirements of a professor.
“For him to qualify as professor, he had to meet all the qualifications,” he said.

What’s up with ex-IGP Badjie?

former police chief, Ensa Badjie

For the fourth consecutive time on Wednesday the prison authorities could not bring former police chief, Ensa Badjie, to court.
During the previous sitting, the magistrates’ court in Banjul, Magistrate Ade Taiwo Alagbe, had ordered that the embattled former police chief be brought to court.
However, the case which was supposed to resume on Wednesday suffered yet another setback due to the absence of Ensa Badjie, who is being kept at Mile 2 since his dismissal in 2010.

What’s up with ex-IGP Badjie?

Ensa Badjie

 

For the fourth consecutive time on Wednesday the prison authorities could not bring former police chief, Ensa Badjie, to court.
During the previous sitting, the magistrates’ court in Banjul, Magistrate Ade Taiwo Alagbe, had ordered that the embattled former police chief be brought to court.
However, the case which was supposed to resume on Wednesday suffered yet another setback due to the absence of Ensa Badjie, who is being kept at Mile 2 since his dismissal in 2010.

‘No Micro Credit Contract between GAMCOTRAP and YALOCAMBA’

Omar Dibba

 

The programme coordinator of Gamcotrap, a women’s rights organisation, said the contract between Gamcotrap and Yalocamba Solidaridad, a Spanish charity, did not mention micro-credit.
Omar Dibba said GAMCOTRAP did not make any commitment to implement micro-credit as alleged. “That we sign a micro-credit contract with YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD is out of context. We did not sign anything with the region of Madrid. It is YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD who signed a contract with them,” he added.

“Prosecution Fabricated Charges to Annoy The President”

The Special Criminal Court in Banjul on Monday heard that the accusation that former police chief and two top military officers named President Yahya Jammeh in their alleged illicit drug trade, were fabricated.

Dismissed top army officer, Major Kuluteh, said the Gambia’s Nigerian-born former chief prosecutor, Richard Chenge, put the president’s name in the charge to invite President Jammeh’s wrath upon them.

Prisons: 4 Deaths in 6 Months; Cause of Scattred's Co-Convict’s Death Yet Known

Alarming death of prisoners has followed the release a few months ago of human rights reports that expose inhumane, degrading conditions of Gambian prisons.

In space of six months, four deaths of inmates at Mile 2, the country’s central prison, situated at the outskirts of Banjul, have been reported, though an ex-inmate had told this paper that what was reported ‘is the tip of the ice bag’.

“It is true that Micheal Uche Thomas has died,” the Commissioner of Prisons, Ansumana Manneh on Monday told The Daily News, confirming the death of yet another prisoner caged at Mile 2, on Sunday July 29.

Treason Suspect’s Torture Claim Dismissed

The accused coupist Alieu Lowe’s claim that state investigators tortured him to make his voluntary and cautionary statements which the prosecutors wished to tender in court as evidence against him had been rejected.

In a ruling that resets the stage for the trial proper, Emmanuel Nkea, the presiding judge at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul on Monday ruled that Mr Lowe voluntarily made his statements.

This decision marked the end of the legal battle over the admissibility of the statements, which were finally tendered in court.

Abdoulie Njie and Alieu Lowe, both civilians, are on trial in connection with the abortive 2006 attempted coup, allegedly led by the former defence chief, Ndure Cham, who has since fled.

Both Njie and Lowe, who have been in detention since 2006, however, denied charges of concealment of treason – an offence that attracts death penalty.

Moreover, Mr Lowe is also charged with perjury and subornation perjury, but denied any wrong doing.

Author: Binta A Bah

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Treason Trial Against Nget and Lowe at Crossroads

accused persons in the court gallery The Banjul-based Special Criminal Court, come July 24, would make a ruling on the treason suspect, Alieu Lowe’s claim, that state investigators forced him to make the statement that the prosecutors wanted to tender against him in court.

Justice Emmanuel Nkea’s ruling is expected to bring an end to the mini-trial (voire dire), which was launched to establish the veracity of Mr Lowe’s claims that his statement, whose content was not disclosed, was obtained under duress.

On Thursday July 10, defense lawyer, Borry S. Touray, summed up his argument in the voire dire, which heard at least three witnesses.

Wife Seeks Husband’s Release After 6 Years In Detention

Alfusainey Jammeh Mariama Colley, the wife of a detained prison officer urges the High Court in Banjul to order for the state authorities to release his husband, who has been under detention for over six years.

Alfusainey Jammeh, a native of President Yahya Jammeh’s native village of Kanilai was arrested since October 19, 2005.

Wife Seeks Husband’s Release After 6 Years In Detention

Mariama Colley, the wife of a detained prison officer urges the High Court in Banjul to order for the state authorities to release his husband, who has been under detention for over six years.

Alfusainey Jammeh, a native of President Yahya Jammeh’s native village of Kanilai was arrested since October 19, 2005.

In a 12-paragraph affidavit presented before Justice AbdullahiMikilive yesterday, Mrs Jammeh explains the trauma she is going through as a result of her husband’s detention

“My husband, Alfusainey Jammeh has never been taken to any court of law in The Gambia and charge with an offence, but continues to be held in indefinite detention against his will,” she says in a statement read on her behalf by defense lawyer, Moses Richards.

“As a housewife with 3 children who are in their formative years no assistance from anyone, I am finding it difficult and sometimes impossible to pay my children’s school fees, provide them with food, clothing, shelter and medical care.

“In the interest of justice that this honorable court considers mine and my family’s constraints and grant the orders that I herein pray for.”

Lawyer Richards in moving the affidavit urged the court to free Mr Jammeh from “the bondage of illegality under which he and his family have belabored for six years and more.”

According to Lawyer Ricahrds, Mr Jammeh, since his detention, was not informed the reasons for his arrest and was not brought to any court of law.

“My lord, in view of this, we urge the honorable court to respect and uphold Mr Jammeh’s constitutional right and order his immediate release conditionally or unconditionally after six years and seven month unlawful incarceration.”

He said the detention of Mr Jammeh has been brought by some person exercising a discretionary power, administrative or otherwise, which may be exercise wrongly.

“It is inherent in all discretionary power that, it includes the power to make mistakes” he said adding, that “if such was the case in the instant court, we submit that the courts of law have inherent jurisdiction, as matter of common law”

However, the state represented by MsSankareh, told the court that the Inspector General of Police, is not responding, even though they have written to him twice.

Lawyer Richards objected when the state counsel said they needed more time.

“The Inspector General of Police has no information about this man. How long would you want to keep this man in jail after 6 years,” he said.

The judge however, said he will give the state some time to reply on point of law.

The case continues July 19.

Author: Binta A Bah

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‘Evidence of Eric T. Janneh is a Lie’ Evry Mbye Tells Court

Evry Mbye on the left, Rongo on the right The APRC-loyalist artist, Evry Mbye, told the Banjul Magistrates’ Court that the evidence given by Eric Tundeh Janneh and the Imam of Banjulinding, Yayha Bah, were all lies.

Abdoulie Evry Mbye said they lied in court when they said he took a letter to the State House. “None of them said the truth in court,” he said.

Evry Mbye, alongside Momodou Jarju alias Rongo, are facing four counts: false information, making false documents, uttering false documents and prohibition of conduct of breaching the peace.

They are alleged to have written to the Secretary General, Office of the President, stating that the alkalo of Banjulinding was disuniting the villagers and grabbing lands.

Military Capt. Denies Harassing Female Soldier

Captain Ebrima Ngum dismissed as false allegation that he sexually harassed a fired junior female officer, Yama Mendy, who stands accused of false information at the magistrates’ court in Banjul.

Capt. Ngum, officer in command of supplies and transportation at Yundum barracks, was testifying as prime state witness against Yama Mendy.

Soldier Yama Mendy was put on trial when she addressed a petition to the President’s Office, accusing that Capt Ebrima Ngum was responsible for her dismissal from the army for turning down his sexual advances.

The female soldier however denied any wrongdoing.

Psychiatric Report on Alleged Coup Plotter Deferred

President Jammeh An intelligence officer attached to the State House on Thursday July 10, testified against the man who allegedly ran into the army barracks at Farafenni and asked soldiers to help him overthrow President Yahya Jammeh.

Foday Gassama, in his 60s, is facing one count of treason at the High Court in Banjul, presided over by AbdullahiMikilive.

He pleaded not guilty.

NAWEC’s Erratic Supply –How Women are Bearing the Brunt

Kumba Leigh The biting effects of severe power outages as NAWEC works on fixing a familiar problem perhaps did not spare anyone connected to the grid. But as Women’s Bantaba writes, women are bearing the brunt…

For weeks now, the womenfolk whose preoccupation includes going to the market on daily basis and taking care of the family have been in a painful struggle to keep their heads above water.

Former State House Steward Released After 3 Yrs in Detention

President Jammeh Aformer steward at State House has been released after spending 3 years under the custody of the state, The Daily Newscan reliably report.

Ebou Jarju on Tuesday June 26, between the hours of 3-4pm, left Mile 2, State Central Prison, situated at the outskirts of Banjul, and walked home as a freeman.

Believed to be in his late 30s, MrJarjue is a native of Darsilameh, a village in the Kombo Central district of the West Coast region of The Gambia.

Editor Adiamoh Complains Ear Infection After One Week at Mile 2

AbdoulhamidAdiamoh If the testimony of AbdoulhamidAdiamoh is anything to go by, his one-week detention at Mile 2, has left him hearing-impaired, perhaps temporally.

“I can’t hear properly, I have infection on my ear,” the Nigerian-born proprietor and editor of TODAY, a privately-owned newspaper in The Gambia, informed the magistrates’ court in Banjul on Thursday June 28.

This was before he was declared guilty of contempt, for‘attacking’ a defense counsel and ‘analysing’ the facts of an ongoing false information trial against Gumbo Touray, a former top Gambia University official.

VC Kah’s Professorship Disputed

Prof. Kah The defense counsel for Gumbo Touray, former director international affairs, University of The Gambia, has challenged the professorship of the first Gambian-born vice chancellor of UTG, Professor Mohammadou M. O Kah..

Badou S Conteh has described Kah’s professorship as false because, he claimed, the university that conferred him, was not recognised by the Nigerian government.

“Your certificate of professorship is not from a university, but from an individual,”Conteh said. Prof Kah however told the court that the counsel’s statement was just an opinion.