The Gambia Democratic Action Group has issued a strongly worded press release damning the arrest of more than a dozen members of the United Democratic Party. The group, headed by Mr. Alkali Conteh in North Carolina, delves into the Jammeh regime’s reckless behaviour to marginalize the opposition in the country.
Find below the release verbatim:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, North Carolina U.S.A. February 17 2014:
The Gambia Democratic Action Group (GDAG) expresses its concern at the Gambia government’s continuous harassment, unlawful arrest and detention of citizens. The government of Yahya Jammeh in its reckless behaviour to marginalize the opposition in The Gambia has continued the barbaric tactic of unlawful arrests even when these arrests are brought upon people exercising their rights under the full accord of the Gambian Constitution.
The atrocities committed in the year 2013 under the leadership of Yahya Jammeh were one of the worst among many years of human rights violations in The Gambia. The unlawful arrest and detention of Imam Baba Leigh, the disappearance to-date of two Gambian Americans, Alhagie Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe; the arrest, detention and subsequent escape of Ms. Fatou Camara and Ben Jammeh from the jurisdiction of The Gambian justice were few of the several unconstitutional actions of the Jammeh government. The treasurer of the United Democratic Party Mr. Amadou Sanneh and three other party supporters were arrested unlawfully detained for many months before being convicted and imprisoned on frivolous and baseless charges. The government of Yahya Jammeh blatantly disregarded the constitutional rights of citizens to assembly when scores of youth activists including Solo Sandeng were ordered arrested in December 2013 at Tanji. Also arrested were Saul Ndow, Ma AWA Cham and Alasana Jobarteh, and as recent as February 10 2014 a dozen or more youth leaders of the UDP were arrested in Kombo Madiana The Gambia.
Gambia Democratic Action Group unequivocally urge all opposition elements both in The Gambia and abroad to stand in solidarity in total condemnation of the unlawful, undemocratic, and barbaric act of the Gambia government and call on it to immediately release these party militants and all others in unlawful detention. Gambia Democratic Action Group further calls on the United States government; the United States embassy in The Gambia, the UK government and all foreign embassies in The Gambia to put pressure on the Gambian government for an unconditional and safe release of these individuals.
Gambia Democratic Action Group would also like to assure the families of the detainees and all opposition party members in the Gambia of our unflinching support for their actions in helping to restore democracy and the rule of law in the country. The organization will do anything in its powers side by side with all in that regard.
Thank you
GDAG Communications.