Gambia ex-President Jammeh ordered Deyda Hydara’s murder, truth commission told
AFP correspondent Deyda Hydara, front, pictured in November 1999. In testimony to a truth commission, a Gambian army officer accused ex-President Yahya Jammeh of ordering the 2004 murder. (AFP/Seyllou)
“For 15 years, CPJ has called on Gambian authorities to do everything in their power to ensure those who carried out Deyda Hydara’s killing are brought to justice. Today, Yahya Jammeh himself was accused of giving the order to kill a respected journalist,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela Quintal. “Jammeh should be extradited to Gambia without delay to stand trial for the murder of Hydara and other abuses carried out during his rule.”
Hydara was the managing editor and co-owner of the independent newspaper The Point, and a correspondent for AFP and Reporters Without Borders. Gambia’s U.N. backed Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission was set up in October to investigate alleged abuses under Jammeh’s 22-year year rule. Its mission is to document abuses and grant reparations to victims, the BBC reported. The former leader is living in exile in Equatorial Guinea after losing an election.
Angela Quintal
Africa Program Coordinator
aquintal@cpj.org
+1 (212) 300-9004
facebook.com/CPJAfrica
@CPJAfrica
www.Somalihouse.com
Email.Somalihouse1@gmail.com
