Press Statement

Illegal Imprisonment of Ebrima Manneh Reaches Second Year

Today Monday, July 7, 2008 marks Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh’s 730 days in detention in an undisclosed location in The Gambia. The continued detention demands that his family, colleagues and human rights advocates continue to pressure the Gambian authorities about his whereabouts.

The disappearance of the 30 year-old journalist has left his mother and father in a state of hopeless devastation and continues to put fear in journalists and other citizens of the Gambia.  All this is giving credence to increasing rumor that Manneh has been either murdered, or been so brutally tortured that his captors fear releasing him would only provide evidence of their brutalities.

On July 7, 2006 two plainclothes operatives of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) entered the premises of the pro-government Daily Observer and publicly arrested Manneh in the presence of his colleagues. Since then, he has “disappeared”.

Manneh has been sighted variously in the company of security agents.

Yet the Gambian government continues to deny the fact that he was arrested and is being held. The NIA has yet to give any official reason for the actions taken against Manneh.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ebrima Bah in a press statement issued the only formal response of an official nature eight months after Manneh’s arrest, saying, “Manneh was not detained at any station”. 

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is not surprised about this development, as these actions have become the hallmark of President Yahya Jammeh’s government and its agents. Several journalists and individuals have suffered a similar fate. 

On June 5, 2008 the Community Court of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ruled that the Gambian authorities should release Manneh and pay him an amount of US$100,000 as compensation. Despite the ruling, the Jammeh regime has refused to offer any explanation. The administration showed disrespect to the Court by refusing to appear before it.

MFWA is urging human rights organisations in West Africa to put pressure on their governments to ensure that ECOWAS implements the decision of the Court to free Chief Manneh. 

Issued by the MFWA, Accra on July 6, 2008. 

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression. 

For further information: Please Contact:
MFWA
P.O. Box LG 730, Legon
Accra, Ghana
Tel 233-21 242470
Fax 233 -21 221084
Email: mfwa@africaonline.com.gh

Website: www.mediafound.org