A new wave of arrests and indictments took place recently. Several members of civil society and opposition leaders were indicted for an alleged coup attempt in May. The allegations affect among others, the former president of the National Union of Printing, Ndeye Tapha Sossehand the former Communications Minister Amadou.
In a joint appeal to the International Federation of Journalists and the Federation of African journalists they have warned that “reporters, representatives of civil society and anyone who tries to denounce human rights violations by the government of The Gambia is in a dangerous situation.”
All the indictments concern Jammeh, as his father has ruled since July 22, 1994, when he took power in a military coup. Last week, the president celebrated the 17th anniversary of his takeover and vowed that “neither God nor the November elections” will take power away from him.
Father Benedict Mbah, a missionary of the Society of St Paul said that “The armed forces and police continue to be one of the biggest employers and their massive presence in villages discourages any criticism of the government.”
Although there is huge unemployment, Fr Mbah said he did not think it was likely that people in The Gambia would rise up in the way North African countries have, because of the repression and the peaceful nature of the Gambian people.
The Gambia is a narrow strip surrounded by Senegal to the north and south, with a population of about 1.4 million inhabitants. One of the poorest countries in the world, The Gambia is mainly dependent on the export of peanuts and tourism. Fluctuations in world prices have made foreign aid crucial.
President Jammeh has repeated oftenly that he wants to focus on the search for oil deposits.
The Missionary News Service comments that “the actual hope for a better future lies, in the relations between 98% Muslim majority with the Christian minority.”
“Christmas and Easter – said Father Mbah – are national holidays.”
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