Gambia: Jammeh attacks religious leader and threatens the media

Baba Leigh, Imam of Kanifing and outspoken critic of the President Yahya Jammeh’s administration was on May 22, 2009 warned by President Jammeh to stop criticizing the administration or risk going to prison.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that President Jammeh, who was addressing a rally in Kanifing castigated Leigh and accused him of misleading his followers and using his position as a religious leader to engage in money making ventures.

“As the Minister for Religious Affairs I won’t accept scholars misleading people”, President Jammeh told his party supporters.

He threatened that should Imam Leigh react to these allegations either in his sermons or through the media he would ensure that he goes to prison.

The Gambian President has banned the electronic media from broadcasting any material from the imam, warning of dire consequence, should they disregard his directive.

The sources said Imam Leigh is very popular in Gambia for being among the few outspoken leaders critical of societal injustices and excesses committed by those in authority.