The Gambia

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The Gambia

356 articles

The Gambia embarks on journey to adopt ATI law

The Gambia Press Union awaits adoption of the Access To Information draft bill 2019, recently tabled for consideration at the National Assembly.

Most aggressive attack on press freedom since Adama Barrow government assumed office

The Gambian government’s excessive use of force against anti-Adama Barrow protesters is reminiscent of the brutal clampdown by former President Jammeh and his government.

Tears with Truth: The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission

After years of brutal repression, the 2016 elections allowed The Gambia to push the reset button. Reyhana Masters spoke with Saikou Jammeh of the Gambian Press Union about the country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which has had the nation riveted since commencement of the hearings.

MFWA's Vivian Affoah, IFEX's Matt Redding, Sabrine Baâboura from RIDH, and Sheriff Bojang Jnr from the Gambia Press Union in Geneva, Switzerland, 8 October 2019

From dictatorship to democracy: All eyes on The Gambia’s upcoming Universal Periodic Review

Ahead of The Gambia’s Universal Periodic Review, IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters asks: What issues are at the top of civil society’s agenda?

AFEX demands accountability for 2004 killing of Deyda Hydara, calls for prosecution of ex-president Jammeh

AFEX called on the government of The Gambia to refrain from granting any amnesty or immunity to any of those implicated in the killing of Mr. Hydara, including former President Jammeh.

15 years later, killers of Deyda Hydara are revealed

Malick Jatta, a military personnel and a member of the hit-squad of then-president, Yahya Jammeh, told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) that he participated in the killing of Mr. Hydara and confirmed that Jammeh ordered the assassination.

Demonstrators arrested for demanding follow through on promises made

15 protestors have been arrested and detained for demonstrating to demand that the government of President Adama Barrow respect its pledge to limit its mandate to three years.

Senegal's president Macky Sall (L) and The Gambia's President Adama Barrow (R) talk as they take part in the inauguration of a bridge in Farafenni, The Gambia, 21 January 2019, SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

Directive requiring Gambian journalists to be screened is withdrawn

A directive requiring journalists in The Gambia to be screened for accreditation to cover the President was withdrawn followed by a discussion between The Gambia Press Union and the Director of Press and Public Relations.

People call for an investigation into the murder of journalist Deida Hydara during a protest in front of Gambia's high commission in Dakar, Senegal, 22 December 2004, SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

Commitment, perseverance, and ingenuity: Changing The Gambia’s climate of impunity

The campaign to counter the culture of impunity, repression and brutality under the rule of former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh is a story of commitment, perseverance and ingenuity pitted against a brutally repressive regime. Here’s how the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Gambia Press Union worked to tackle impunity, both under the Jammeh regime and under the democratically-elected government of Adama Barrow.

Musa Saidykhan and Ebrima Manneh: Justice Subverted by the State

Gambian journalists Musa Saidykhan and Ebrima Manneh were separately arrested and detained by state agents in Gambia. Saidykhan was subjected to brutal torture, while Manneh disappeared with little trace.

This handout picture released by the Nigerian Office of the President shows President Muhammadu Buhari (C-L) giving a press conferecne with Republic of Togo President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe Eyadema (C-R) during the 52nd ECOWAS Heads of State Summit held in Abuja, 16 December 2017 , SUNDAY AGHAEZE/AFP/Getty Images

ECOWAS Court delivers landmark decision

In a significant judgement the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that Gambian authorities violated the rights of four Gambian journalists. The judgement also called for the “immediate repeal or amendment” of existing legislation negatively impacting on media freedom.

Supporters of Gambia's President Adama Barrow fix a billboard ahead of his slated return to Banjul, 26 January 2017, REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

One year after Jammeh: Is Adama Barrow’s government keeping its promises?

Vivian Affoah, a senior progamme officer with the Media Foundation for West Africa, has been based in The Gambia since June 2017. On the first anniversary of the election that overthrew the Jammeh regime, she offers an assessment of how media freedom is faring under the new government, and shares what she’d like to see happen in 2018.

The flag of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia (centre) flying at United Nations headquarters in New York, 14 July 2016, UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Fighting impunity: The MFWA facilitates meeting between Gambian Government and families of victims

The MFWA and the Gambia Press Union are facilitating the process of engagements between the Gambian government and families of Deyda Hydara, Musa Saidykhan and Ebrima Manneh towards compliance with the judgments of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

Activists from the West African Democracy and Justice Organization hold a peaceful protest near the UN building with posters and t-shirts emblazoned with the face of journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh, 22 July 2009, Flickr/Carlton Purvis

Justice for Deyda, Ebrima and Musa?

In a major breakthrough in the long fight against impunity in The Gambia, officials revealed the government will comply with the rulings of the ECOWAS Court in three infamous cases of attacks against journalists.

Catching up with the news in Banjul, 18 August 2006, Flickr/Amran Gaye

Comprehensive media reform initiative kicks off in The Gambia

Through a series of workshops and consultations, an expert group led by the MFWA and the Gambia Press Union (GPU) will come up with a comprehensive strategic framework that will guide the entire media sector reform process in The Gambia.

Deyda Hydara, MFWA

Justice for Jammeh’s victims?

In what many people consider a breakthrough for justice in Gambia, a court issues two arrest warrants over the assassination of journalist Deyda Hydara, who was killed during the brutal rule of President Yahya Jammeh.