Artist Group Calls for Immediate Release of Killa Ace

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The Working Group of musicians known as Messengers of Democracy Project strongly condemned the ‘arbitrary arrests and detention’ of citizens in the Republic of the Gambia especially the arrest and detention of Ali ‘Killa Ace’ Cham.

The Working Group, a West African network of civil society leaders, musicians and democratic movements who foster collaboration between musicians and activists to counter anti-democracy narratives, advance next generation civic engagement, and build solidarity among West African civil society, stand in support and solidarity with Ali ‘Killa Ace’ Cham.

In a statement signed by GambiaHasDecided Movement, Team Gomsa Bopa all of The Gambia, The Togolese Civil League of Togo, Tuwindi of Mali, Yen A’ Marre of Senegal and YIAGA AFRICA of Nigeria, the group condemned the ‘arbitrary arrest and violation of the rights’ of citizens to freedom of expression, free speech and peaceful assembly by the state.

Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights explicitly states that, “Every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.”

It cited part II of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights similarly states that, “Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”

The Working Group called on the democratically elected Government of the Republic of the Gambia, led by President Adama Barrow to respect the constitutional provisions which he swore to protect and uphold.

The group further charged the Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force to respect the rights of citizens to freedom of expression, freedom from torture and ill treatment, free speech and peaceful assembly.

“The Africa we want is an Africa where democratic values, culture, practices, universal principles of human rights, gender equality, justice and the rule of law are entrenched.”