'Gambia Is Slipping Into Darkness'

An activist group has written a letter to President Yahya Jammeh expressing concern about the Gambia’s uncertain future.

“We have an important item to discuss with you about the state of affairs of our beloved country,” The Republican Group’s letter stated. “Mr. President, as citizens of the Gambia and with common love of humanity, we are with the humble opinion that the matter before us is that our country is slipping into darkness with very little hopeful future for our sons and daughters.”

The group cited so many cases of disappearances without trace, unsolved murder cases, unexplained deaths, continuous detentions of prisoners without a fair trial, lack of freedoms of speech and expression, and no free media. “You may have a different opinion to the one I have just expressed in this letter to you but we think it is time for you and every citizen of the Gambia to take stock of your 19 years of rule. This is not a challenge to you personally, or to your leadership. It is aimed to engage and to create a platform to discuss the plague of the numerous people who’ve become victims during your term in office.”

The letter, signed by Seedy Ceesay, reminded President Yahya about the Gambia’s sovereign status and that he took an oath to protect the lives and properties and treat everyone equally with no favour or ill-will.  The group asked Gambian leader to respect the Constitutional provision guaranteeing the freedom to assemble and demonstrate peacefully.”

The Republican Group notified Mr. Jammeh of its plans to hold a peaceful and unarmed sit-down demonstration on April 24^th. “We wish to appeal to your leadership and your office to safeguard us as we assemble. Please ensure our safety during the course of this peaceful assembly with the help of your security forces. We look forward to hearing from your office with a timely response to our request.”

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