Gambian authorities arrested and detained leaders of police permit holding peaceful protestors along with proprietors of 2 private radio stations.
 
This petition seeks their unconditional release and lifting the closure on the 2 Radio Stations.
 
Good governance and rule of law under threat in The Gambia as the government imposed a closure order on two private radio stations without any recourse to due process. Proprietors of both stations suffered immediate arrest and detention in what is believed to be high-handed police harassment by "Executive Orders." Constitution of Gambia generously provides free press, right of association and free speech.
 
Affected radio stations and respective managers are Pa Modou Bojang of Home Digital FM and proprietor of Membeng Kering TV relayed to local Gambian local language audience. The other closed station is King FM, managed by Gibby Jallow also arrested and detained. Both have been released on bail with the condition of routine police reporting since being arrested on 26 January 2020.
 
For over 22 years, The Gambia had experienced dictatorship of typical police state characteristics including arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance without trace.
 
In December 2016, a coalition of various political parties came up with a strategy to unseat a clinging Yaya Jammeh who since seizing power by July 22 1994 coup threatened he would rule for 1 billion years, indicating his unwillingness to permit orderly succession.
 
The coalition agreed on a transition of 3 years during which period the flagbearer oversees return to proper democratic dispensation, considering that the incumbent Yaya Jammeh came to power by a coup and clung on for 22 years.
 
Supported by and along with other political parties, Adama Barrow campaigned for a transition of 3 Years. He further pledged that in accordance with what the coalition determined, he would not contest elections at the end of the 3 years transition. In addition, he would observe a grace period of full presidential term lasting 5 years before he participates in party politics.
 
Based on such commitments, Gambian voters put away their political differences and decided on backing the coalition flagbearer candidate Adama Barrow who eventually defeated the incumbent Yaya Jammeh in December 2016 Presidential elections.
 
Now it turned out Barrow backtracked on his campaign pledges by insisting that The Gambian constitution provides a presidential term of 5 years and not 3. Not only that, but Barrow has gone to the extent of forming a political party forcing his way to stay beyond 3 years and preparing to contest elections in 2021.
 
Genuine stakeholders formed a pressure group and named it “3 Years Jotna” directly translated from Wollof language – 3 Year’s time is up. This movement seeks to remind Barrow of his campaign pledge of 3 years transition.
 
What appears as previous government dictatorship police operation, a protest staged by police permit was raided by Gambia police with the unreasonable force exerted. This protest that reminded President Barrow to respect his campaign was preceded by an earlier one with resounding success and covered by Aljazeera among international media outlets. Gambians also shared the event on social media with measured impact. Authorities fear that any repeat of such demands will expose their flaws and therefore acted in this near lawless arrest of organizers along with journalists. These journalists were not at the scene of the protest, causing suspicion that they are targeted arrests.
 
Observers identify this move by the police a premeditated action aimed at dispersing a peaceful crowd, subsequently arresting their leaders including Yankuba Darbo a UK Resident Gambian lawyer and human rights activities who contributed immensely in the fight against dictatorship.
 
Here is a call to all diplomatic missions in Gambia including the United States Embassy, United Kingdom Consular, the European Union, The Commonwealth, African Union, Economic Committee of West Africa ECOWAS, Senegalese Embassy and government and Amnesty International.
 
Fear of dictatorship returning to The Gambia has gripped the nation. In the exigency of this most critical situation, timely intervention is the best preventive measure.
 
We the undersigned demand that this situation is given urgent remedial attention by organizations and governments to whom it may concern. The influence of your good offices will ensure that dictatorship never returns to The Gambia. The call also extends to ending censorship in all forms and manner. Long live One Gambia.