(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Gambian Justice Minister Fatou Bensouda, RSF has expressed its concern about the suspension of the private bi-weekly “The Independent”. RSF urged the minister to “clarify this decision.” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard added: “We do hope that the newspaper will be authorised to resume publication as soon as possible.” According […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Gambian Justice Minister Fatou Bensouda, RSF has
expressed its concern about the suspension of the private bi-weekly “The
Independent”. RSF urged the minister to “clarify this decision.” RSF
Secretary-General Robert Ménard added: “We do hope that the newspaper will
be authorised to resume publication as soon as possible.”
According to information compiled by RSF, on 24 July 1999, despite the
authorisation delivered earlier, “The Independent” was suspended on the
orders of the Ministry of Justice because of so-called “irregularities on
its enrolment in the Trade Department.” In its first issue, on 5 July, “The
Independent” had published a statement by the United Democratic Party (UDP,
opposition) describing President Yahya Jammeh as “the richest person in the
region” and the “most corrupt head of state in Africa”.
