Gambia Civil Society Condemn Arrest Of Two Citizens

Tuesday, 04 December 2012 21:41

(Press Release) – Exactly three months and one week after the illegal executions of nine Mile Two Prisons inmates: Lamin B. Darboe, Alieu Bah, Lamin Jarju, Dawda Bojang, Abubacarr Yarboe, Lamin F Jammeh, Malang Sonko, Gibril Bah and Tabara Samba a female, and almost three months after the arrests and frivolous charges against journalists Baboucarr Ceesay and Abubacarr Saidykhan and nearly three weeks since the acquittal of Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissoho, the Yahya Jammeh regime which seems to thrive on perpetual chaos and crisis, has again arrested two distinguished Gambian nationals; Civil Rights Attorney Amie Bensouda and Imam Baba Leigh.

The news of the dual arrests and detention of two outstanding Gambians has left Gambians worldwide disgusted and dumbfounded.

It is clear that Gambians have become accustomed to these arrests and ridiculous detentions of citizens who have done no wrong and are coalescing around the idea of a Gambia where all citizens can live free with (out) the constant threat of state overreach.

The arrests and continued detention of Attorney Amie Bensouda and Imam Baba Leigh is only the latest in the never-ending saga of citizen arrests and detention; a situation that has turned Gambia into a land of terror.

The latest spate of arrests, like all previous cases, is designed purely as a mechanism of intimidation for the purpose of citizen control. Attorney Amie Bensouda recently mounted a vigorous and successful defense for the GAMCOTRAP duo, Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissoho. Mrs. Amie Bensouda is renowned for her work in the defense of Civil and Human Rights of Gambians wrongly charged by the regime.

Mrs. Bensouda’s unapologetic stance against the regime’s constant harassment, arrests and detentions of citizens and non-citizens alike, has not endeared her to Yahya Jammeh’s military regime.

Imam Baba Leigh is deservedly described as Gambia’s only remaining moral voice following the arrests, torture and expulsion to Senegal of another prominent cleric, Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana, of Sanchaba Sulay Jobe village.

Imam Baba Leigh of the Kanifing Mosque, renowned for his unwavering advocacy for the separation of state and religion, vehemently criticized the recent executions of nine inmates as totally un-Islamic and unwarranted under any law.

Imam Leigh, who was recently on a prolonged visit to the US visiting family and offering prayers and counsel to Gambians, was also previously arrested and detained by agents of the regime.

The Civil Society Associations Gambia (CSAG) in view of the totality of the evidence gathered has determined the arrests and detention of Attorney Amie Bensouda and Imam Baba Leigh as illegal and call for their immediate release.

In the same vein, CSAG calls for its partner organizations around the world to strongly condemn these cowardly intimidations of innocent citizens.