The Gambia: arson attack on BBC correspondent's home condemned

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ACTION ALERT UPDATE - THE GAMBIA

19 August 2004

MFWA condemns arson attack on BBC correspondent's home, anonymous threats to
journalists

SOURCE: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Accra

**Updates IFEX alert of 16 August 2004**

(MFWA/IFEX) - During the early morning hours of 15 August 2004, BBC Banjul
correspondent Ebrima Sillah's house was set ablaze by suspected arsonists.
Sillah, who was alone in the house, was sleeping when the arsonists
attacked.

According to MFWA sources in The Gambia, the incident occurred in Sillah's
home village of Jamburu, 30 km southwest of the capital, Banjul. The
attackers reportedly doused the house's sitting room with petrol before
setting it on fire.

Upon noticing the fire, Sillah jumped out of a window and fled. He suffered
partial burns to his body. Personal belongings in the house, including a new
laptop computer and accessories supplied by the BBC, were all gutted by the
fire. Other items destroyed in the fire included a television set, furniture
and clothing. No arrests have been made.

The attack came barely one month after President Yahya Jammeh warned
"opposition journalists" to be careful not to misquote him as they would
"pay a high price should they err." The president had alleged that some
journalists in the country were members of the opposition. He made the
allegation while addressing a rally in Banjul as part of celebrations of his
10 years in power.

Prior to the arson attack on Sillah, Gambia Press Union President Demba Jawo
received an anonymous threatening letter. Jawo's wife found the letter,
which was placed at the gate of his house, on the morning of 7 August.

The letter bore no address, but read, "Dear D. A. Jawo, your writings
against President Yahya Jammeh and Gambia generally [sic]. We have noticed
that you are always happy to go hard on our good President and the work he
is doing. Your constant ranting and lies about development in the Gambia
speak volumes of your character as the enemy of truth. No right thinking
Gambian would say that Gambia has not seen development since H.E took over
power in 1994. But idiots like you are agents of the West and we are closing
our nets on you. Very soon we will teach one of your journalists a very good
lesson so that all of you will learn one or two things from him. We have
laid our lives for this revolution and therefore we will not allow rats like
you to spoil the good gains that we have already made. We know where you are
staying in Kanifing Housing Estate. We therefore warn you in advance to calm
down or we will tame you. I am sure you do not want your bones and flesh to
be thrown to dogs and vultures. Peace, In defence of the revolution!!!"

The MFWA condemns the arson attack on Sillah's home and calls on President
Jammeh's government to conduct a full-scale investigation to bring the
culprits to justice. The organisation also urges the government to ensure
the security of all journalists in the country.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to authorities:
- condemning the arson attack on Sillah's home
- calling on President Jammeh's government to conduct a full-scale
investigation to bring the culprits to justice
- urging the government to ensure the security of all journalists in the
country

APPEALS TO:

H. E. Yahya A. A. Jammeh
President of the Republic of The Gambia
C/o The Director of Press/Public Relations
President's Office
New Administration Building
Quadrangle, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: +220 201 031 / 226 316
Fax: +220 226 696

Minister of Foreign Affairs
4 Muammar Ghadaffi Avenue
Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: +220 223 577
Fax: +220 223 578

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

For further information, contact Jeannette Quarcoopome, Media Foundation for
West Africa, P.O. Box LG 730, Legon, Ghana, tel.: +233 21 24 24 70, fax:
+231 21 22 10 84, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.mfwaonline.org

The information contained in this action alert update is the sole
responsibility of MFWA. In citing this material for broadcast or
publication, please credit MFWA.
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