Buya Jammeh relates past perils of journalism in Gambia to TRRC
Buya Jameh, Gambian journalist resident in the United States testifying before TRRC via Skype
By AMADOU MANJANG
Buya Jammeh, former executive member of Gambia Press Union (GPU) and Gambian journalist resident in the United States has told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) that though he had courage to work, but felt unsafe to work as a journalist in Gambia as hostile environment.
Testifying via Skype from the United States, the witness said he had fracas with one of the officers who slapped him and his colleagues joined him and began beating him after being searched.
He said the genesis of his trouble was on his way to work and upon arrival at the Chinese Embassy in Kanifing, he was called by some PIU officers who requested to search his bag.
He recalled the arson attack on The Independent newspaper in 2003, arrest of the then editor-in-chief, Abdoulie Sey who was taken to the NIA headquarters in Banjul and the subsequent shutting down of the outlet in March 2006.
The witness explained that the arrest of The Independent newspaper journalists and subsequent closure forced most of the journalists to join other media outlets and others quit the profession.
He also recollected that Madi Ceesay, Musa Saidykhan, then editor-in-chief, and Lamin Fatty reporter were arrested in connection with a published article about the then Interior Minister Samba Bah on the Ndure Cham foiled coup on 21 March 2006.
He informed the Commission that Dr. Saja Taal threatened him (witness) that he would sacrifice him first before he (Dr. Taal) is sacrificed by Jammeh.
Buya stated his encounter with Dr. Taal was in connection with the trial of Fatou Jaw Manneh.
The witness said whilst he was in exile, he coordinated and made efforts with other journalists like Ndey Tapha Sosseh to contact pressure groups and the international community to release journalists jailed by ex-president Yahya Jammeh.
The former The Independent reporter who joined Daily Express newspaper and later moved to Daily Observer said Dr. Sarja Taal who was managing the news company further threatened him that he could call the NIA to pick him up.
Further narrating his ordeal at Daily Observer after the exit of Dr Saja Taal, Buya Jammeh said he also had differences with the new manager Dida Hilake when he (Buya) was elected in a position at the GPU and was sacked as a result.
He further explained that he had to move to Today newspaper managed by Abdoulhamid Adiamo where he worked for a short period.
He said GPU was prompted to react to ex-president Jammeh’s callous statement about the late Deyda Hydara to remind him of his responsibility as the president of the republic and condemned his said statement.
He said the statement by GPU which was published in both The Point and the Foroyaa newspapers which resulted in the arrest of seven journalists.
Buya Jammeh said he went into hiding and fled the country to Senegal.
He said he worked with journalists like Ndey tapha Sosseh to contact pressure groups and the international community for the release of jailed journalists during Yahya Jammeh;s regime, on all journalists to stay firm, committed to the profession.
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