Rather too late

The release of my colleagues Pap Saine, Sam Sarr, Ebrima Sawaneh, Pa Modou Faal, Emil Touray and Sarata Jabbi-Dibba from the notorious Mile Two Prison is indeed good news. But it came rather too late and cannot be seriously seen as a Ramadan gesture.

Ramadan started ages ago and if the release of these journalists was indeed because of the spirit of Ramadan, then they should have been released ages ago. And if Jammeh is indeed serious in being merciful, he should extend it to the GPU president, Ndey Tapha Sosseh and other journalists currently languishing in foreign countries.
These journalists are currently away from their homes and loved ones not because they committed any capital offence, but simply because of their work as the eyes and mouth piece of the Gambian people.

Until then, I will always see the release of the journalists as another PR attempt by Jammeh to rebuild his battered and bruised image. From the arrest to the conviction of these journalists, the whole civilised world was outraged. Press organisations and governments around the world expressed their disgust at Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle's verdict which they see as a persecution rather than prosecution and another step by the government to keep the Gambian people in a perpetual state of darkness and passive subjugation.

The pressure was mounting everyday and it went to a point where it was nearly choking Jammeh and he could do nothing but to release the journalists.

Releasing the journalists is a welcome development but it cannot repair the damage their arrest and prosecution has done on the personal image of Jammeh and the Gambia. The image of the Gambia which was previously called a beacon of peace and hope is badly tainted. The Gambia is now seen as a country where fear rules.

Secondly, if Jammeh wants us to take him seriously, then he have to do more. For the past many years, Jammeh has shown to the Gambian people that he is a leader who cannot to be trusted. He keeps approbating and reprobating at the same time. And like the HULK, the slightest criticism makes him raise the ceiling. He gets so pumped up anger that the first orders he gives to the NIA or State Guards is arrest him, kill him, let him never see the sun again etc.

Therefore, the release of these journalists will be meaningless if they are going to be arrested, tortured, killed or charged for sedition tomorrow or the day after for publishing a story or article which upsets Jammeh.

The Gambian media does not need favours, cosmetic mercy, gifts or call it whatever from Jammeh or anyone. What we need from Jammeh is for him to use his influence and ask the National Assembly to repeal all those draconian legislations that are seriously inhibiting the work of local journalists. We also want him as president to repeal the various military decrees such as Decree 70/71 which he passed during the transition period.

Jammeh have to tell the NIA to stop focusing their work on the activities of journalists. We are not dissidents or a threat to the peace and tranquility of the Gambia. The NIA should instead see the media as allies in national development. The NIA have more to gain by working closely with the media.

Again if Jammeh wants us to take him seriously as a merciful and compassionate man, he have to order the immediate and unconditional release of Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh, if he is indeed alive, and compensate him fully for the untold sufferings he is currently going through. Chief Manneh have not committed any crime. He is an innocent bloke who cannot even hurt a fly.

Chief Manneh's father is crying himself everyday to sleep… The last time he saw his son was in the morning of July 11, 2006 when he left for work. In this blessed and holy month of Ramadan, while parents rejoice and break their fast with their children, Chief Manneh's seventy something year-old father is left with a broken heart wondering whether his son is alive or death.

Further, if Jammeh wants us to believe that he is a merciful person, let him and his government do more to find the killers of Deyda Hydara. As a loving husband and father, Deyda's wife and kids are missing him everyday and would like to know who actually pulled the trigger on him and why.

If the Gambian security officers are indeed unable to find the killers of Deyda, then Jammeh should heed calls from the Gambia Press Union and other organisations for international investigators to help. We are sure that with the help of institutions like the Scotland Yard, and with the help of modern scientific equipment, Deyda's murderers will be behind bars very soon or at least the question we have been asking since 16 December, 2004 will be answered.

For comments, write to papak196@yahoo.co.uk