Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

On 23 May 2013, anti-riot police officers fired teargas and live bullets to disperse members of Guinea’s Republican Opposition Coalition, who were demanding credible elections.

Imam Baba Leigh was detained incommunicado for five months and seven days for condemning the execution of nine death row inmates by the Yayha Jammeh-led government, describing the act as inimical to Islamic teachings and precepts. He was neither charged nor granted access to his family and lawyer.

Two journalists were detained on World Press Freedom Day, and are being charged with criminal defamation for publishing supposedly pornographic photographs of a lawyer.

On 2 May 2013, a crowd of opposition members was attacked with live bullets by police officers in Conakry. The political standoff between the government and the opposition intensifies as parliamentary elections drawn near.

Protesters were beaten during a demonstration against Waymark, a software firm that the Guinean government chose to compile a new voter register. Opposition leaders say that Waymark is skewing the list to favour the ruling party.

Afri Radio has resolved to take legal action against the Independent Media Commission after its broadcast license was withdrawn on 12 April 2013. A source at the radio station believes the withdrawal was politically-motivated.

The Gambia has amended sections of the country’s criminal code to empower the courts to administer stiffer punishments to persons found guilty of giving false information to public officials. The offence has long been considered inconsistent with certain provisions of The Gambia’s Constitution

On 14 March, security forces in Togo prevented a group of journalists from staging a demonstration. The journalists were protesting a law that makes it easier for the media regulatory body to impose sanctions on the media.