Barrow, Faal Granted Bail But…

The third man accused of conspiring to overthrow the Gambia government was on Wednesday granted bail by a Federal Court Judge in Minnesota.

Alagie Barrow returned to the United States only to be arrested, detained and charged with conspiring to dislodge ‘a friendly nation’ from power. He has since been in Federal custody.

Barrow’s arrest and arraignment followed those of Papa Faal and Cherno Njie. Both men were also accused of conspiring or financing the failed December 30th attack on State House, which resulted to the killing of at least four attackers.

Faal who admitted guilt is also granted bail, although with some restrictions. He is waiting for sentencing. Njie appeared briefly in Baltimore and is expected to be transferred to Minnesota.

Mr. Barrow’s attorney defended his right to bail because he would not return to the Gambia for another attack. “Who is he going back to and for what? All his colleagues have been killed and their families including those of Barrow have been arrested,” Joe Friedberg told the court, arguing that his client is neither a flight risk, nor a threat to his community.

Barrow’s bail is not without some restrictions. For instance, he must not access the internet and stay away from anyone about the failed coup.

The former National Guard is expected to reunite with his family in Tennessee, move freely and secure a job after the probation officer clears him.

Ends

Humra Backs Joint Human Rights Press Briefings In Dakar

Free Families targeted and persecuted after failed coup d’état in the Gambia – 2/Feb/2015

Over Ten human rights organisations in Africa have today called upon the international community to take immediate action to put an end to the arbitrary detention and persecution of relatives and family members of people suspected of having taken part in the failed coup d’état in the Gambia.

ARTICLE 19, Amnesty International, Association Des Professionels De La Presse En Ligne (APPEL), Africtivistes, Conseil Des Organisations Non Gouvernementales D’appui Au Développment (CONGRAD), Pan-African Institute For Consumer Citizenship And Development (Cicodev Africa), Ligue Sénégalaise Des Droits De L’homme (LSDH), Organisation Nationale Des Droits De L’homme Au Sénégale (ONDH), The Panos Institute West Africa (IPAO), Rencontre Africaine Pour La Défense Des Droits De L’homme (RADDHO), Société Internationale Pour Les Droits De L’homme (SIDH/Sénégal), Syndicat Des Professionels De L’information Et De La Communication Du Sénégal (Synpics) and Y’en A Marre call upon the Gambian authorities to put an immediate end to secret detentions, including those of people suspected of having taken part in the failed coup d’état and their relatives and family members, to release them or to charge them in a manner consistent with international law, including that relating to a fair trial, without recourse to the death penalty and under international supervision.

President Yahya Jammeh’s regime has intensified the crackdown on any form of dissent and has increased human rights violations, with indiscriminate arrests of military personnel and civilians assumed to be relatives or family members of people suspected of having taken part in the failed coup d’état on 30 December. It has also driven several people into forced exile.

According to the information received, at least 30 people, the majority of whom are civilians and include 1 male adolescent and 7 women (mothers, a former wife and sisters) were arbitrarily arrested and have been held at secret locations for nearly a month in total violation of the Gambian constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Held without charge, these people cannot see their family members or gain access to legal counsel.

This situation is worrying because of the intimidation and arrest threats levelled at people enquiring about the fate of the detainees.

Due to the constant threats and the widespread climate of fear, the media cannot investigate the situation of the detainees. To date, no information about the detention conditions or locations has been made public. This news blackout heightens the concerns and isolation of Gambian families and peoples.

The corpses of people killed during the attack on the presidential palace (Lamin Sanneh, Njaga Jagne, Jarja Nyass and Dawda Bojang) have not been returned to their families.

We…

Call upon the Gambian authorities:

• To put an immediate end to the secret detentions, including those of people suspected of having taken part in the failed coup d’état and their relatives and family members;
• To release these people or to charge them in a manner consistent with international law, including that relating to a fair trial, without recourse to the death penalty and under international supervision.

Call upon the African Union (AU), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the United Nations (UN):

• To conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the human rights violations;
• To urge the Gambian government to stop all acts of intimidation and persecution aimed at creating a climate of fear and potentially increasing tension in the country.

Call upon the peoples of Senegal, the Gambia and the whole world to participate massively in:

• The digital campaign on the human rights situation in the Gambia, from 30 January to 28 February 2015, based on two major approaches: an action of solidarity with Gambian exiles in Senegal on Facebook, and an action aimed at the Senegalese authorities on Twitter. We will use #DalalAkDiam as the unique hashtag for the entire campaign.

• See more at: http://www.article19.org/resources.php/resource/37839/en/The%20Gambia:%20Families%20targeted%20and%20persecuted%20after%20failed%20coup%20d%E2%80%99%C3%A9tat%20in%20the%20Gambia#sthash.eGn3MpIT.dpuf

Humra Yaya Dampha and Suntou Touray

Share this:

Support for Gambians fleeing persecution Context of the campaign

Amnesty International Senegal is launching a tweet action today to call on the Senegalese authorities to stop restricting the right to freedom of expression of people who are fleeing persecution in Gambia and seeking asylum in Senegal. You will find the text in French and English below.

Most of the victims we interview express concerns about their safety and ability to be granted asylum status in Senegal.

If it is safe for you to do so, please take action and share this email with your contacts.

TWEETER ACTION – Support for Gambians fleeing persecution 

Context of the campaign

The human rights situation in Gambia has worsened since the failed coup on 30 December 2014. Persecution, arrests and arbitrary detentions have become more common and have been extended to include the parents, families and friends of people suspected to be involved in the attempted coup. Many of them have fled to Senegal to escape security force atrocities. For more information about the human rights situation in Gambia, see: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/gambia-charge-or-release-family-members-alleged-failed-coup-plotters-2015-01-20. 

Senegal, where Gambians have often sought asylum in the past, is becoming increasingly reluctant to grant refugee status to Gambian nationals. The recent expulsions of refugees from the country has been discouraging news for Gambians seeking asylum even though most of the people who come to Senegal stay with relations or friends. 

The goal of this tweet action is to highlight the enduring hospitality of the Senegalese population and their willingness to welcome people fleeing from persecution. We are also calling on the Senegalese authorities not to restrict the rights and freedoms (freedom of expression, freedom of opinion) of asylum seekers.

Twitter Action towards the Senegalese authorities: how to participate

On Twitter, we are going to send a request to the highest Senegalese authorities asking them to respect and protect the rights of Gambian refugees and asylum seekers who are fleeing from persecution. We will also promote this action by extensive tweeting of the following key messages in French or English:
·        Do not restrict the right to freedom of expression of people fleeing persecution in Gambia. #DalalAkDiam
·        Cher @Macky_Sall , ne conditionnez pas l'asile accordée aux gambiens à la suspension de leur liberté d'expression  #DalalAkDiam
·        @Macky_Sall , les droits humains se détériorent en Gambie, ne conditionnez pas l'asile accordée aux gambiens à leur silence #DalalAkDiam
·        @Macky_Sall les  arrestations & détentions arbitraires se sont accentuées en #Gambie, ne conditionnez pas l'asile au silence #DalalAkDiam
·        Cher @macky_sall , des gambiens ont fui vers le Sénégal pour échapper aux exactions, ne conditionnez pas l'asile à leur silence #DalalAkDiam
·         @mackysall , le Sénégal est 1 terre d’asile pour les gambiens, ne conditionnez pas l'asile à leur silence #DalalAkDiam

Dalal Ak Diam means Welcome in Wolof.

We strongly encourage you to send your tweets to the authorities listed below:  

·        President of the National Assembly, Moustapha Niasse => @moustaphaniasse
·        President of the Republic, Macky Sall => @Macky_Sall
·        President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Aminata Tall => @AminataTall
·        Foreign Affairs Minister, Mankeur Ndiaye => @MankeurNdiaye
·        Moustapha Diakhaté, president of the majority parliamentary group => @mustafaajaxate

3. Duration of the campaign
30 January to 28 February 2015.

Contact person
El hadj Abdoulaye Seck, abdoulaye.seck@amnesty.sn

Gambia Coup Plotter Pleads Guilty

Exposing the Betrayals, Papa Faal speaks in court.

“The intent was not to kill anybody” unless fired upon, Faal said in court. “It turned really violent. … We were surprised by the fact that we had more resistance than anticipated.” Papa Faal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from last month’s failed attempt to overthrow the government in the West African nation of Gambia.

Papa Faal, 46, admitted in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis that he participated in the Dec. 30 attack on Gambia’s State House, where he said he believes most of his co-conspirators died.

“The intent was not to kill anybody” unless fired upon, Faal said in court. “It turned really violent. … We were surprised by the fact that we had more resistance than anticipated.”

Prosecutors say Faal, of Brooklyn Park, and another man, Cherno Njie, traveled separately from the United States to Gambia to participate in the unrest. They were charged upon their return to the U.S.

Faal pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to export firearms to Gambia without a license and one count of conspiracy to participate in an attempted overthrow of a country with whom the U.S. is “at peace.” Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Faal told the court that in August he joined a group of men who wanted to change the regime in Gambia. Court papers indicated he was motivated out of concern that elections were being rigged and for the “plight of the Gambian people.”

Faal, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Gambia and former member of the U.S. military, said he participated in calls with others who were trying to overthrow Gambian President Yahya Jammeh and he received emails that contained links to operational plans for the ambush.

Faal said one person gave him money to buy weapons, and Faal bought eight semiautomatic rifles in Minnesota and hid them in barrels that were shipped to Gambia.

Faal said he met up with other members of the group in Gambia. They initially planned to ambush the president, but changed plans once they learned he was out of town, he said.

A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.

Njie, 57, of Austin, Texas, made his initial court appearance in Baltimore earlier this month and is being transported to Minnesota to face charges. Faal identified Njie as a financier of the group.

Human rights activists have long criticized the government in Gambia for targeting political opponents, journalists, and gays and lesbians. The U.S. government recently removed Gambia from a trade agreement in response to human rights abuses.

The U.S. denounced the coup attempt.

Source: AP news Agency

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/73d46c17bf9540c2a16926f618d60817/minnesota-man-pleads-guilty-gambia-coup-attempt

Ends

Gambians Protest In Westminster Parliament Square

Siray Touray and others at Protest ground Westminster Parliament

By Siray Touray (At Protest Ground In London

The day of Action Against the Unlawful Detention of relatives of alleged December 30th coup plotters

Following on the footsteps of Gambian activists in England, I attended the protest today, the 26 of January 2015 to voice out the displeasure at the arrest and unlawful detention of many Gambians in the aftermath of the 30th December foiled coup plot.

The Gambian government hasn’t still made any public declaration about the faith of the 30 plus civilians detained beyond the 72 hours constitutional limit. I have written in the past, calling on the Gambian dictator to resign and give peaceful change of power and transition possible for the 1.8 million law abiding and peace loving citizens.

The Jammeh administration is hell-bent on furthering the repressive style of government. Mr. Jammeh is not willing to learn bitter lessons on the loss of lives of four Gambians last year.

The political situation in theLondonrstaff constrained and the people are trapped in a situation where no other voice matters. Gambians resorted to affirmative action on December 30th, and it proved fatal for the brothers many people desperately yearning for change calling them ‘Heroes and Freedom Fighters who sacrificed their lives for our freedom’. As a people, we all know 20 years of one man rule has taken its toll on our conviction on seeing a regular change of government. As conscientious citizens of the Gambia, we have been forced to resort to voicing out our opinion in safe countries, so that the international community, and in particular the British law makers, can hear us loud and clear.

Our choice to protest at the West Minster parliament is to reiterate to the British authorities and MPs that the Gambia is still bleeding. The rule of law does not exist like it does in civilised countries. President Jammeh can decide to hold Gambians for months without fear of public outrage, yet the European Union and the United States maintain regular and normal diplomatic ties with the Gambia. This is our frustration and determination to protest at the parliament square in London.

We know that the Gambian embassy in London sends spies to look out for activists, however, people cannot be afraid in the Gambia, and be scared to voice out their opinion here in U.K. We call on the British MPs to look into the plight of Gambians and support activists and opposition parties in bringing the needed change Gambians are struggling to achieve all these years. Evidently, we cannot keep on protesting continuously if all goes well at home.

I am delighted to participate in the demonstration and voice out my opinion against the unlawful detention of the Gambian civilians and military officers, and also the continuous repressive human rights abuses in the Gambia.

I call on the Jammeh government to change its ways and dissolve the government, initiate an all-inclusive transitional government, which will surely heal the Gambia of the 20 years of pain and dictatorship. Our people have suffered far too long, unimaginable in a country known for being the bastion of everything good during the Jawara days.

Ends

13 year old son, relatives detained for 21 days

By Mustapha Jallow

Yusupha Lowe, who is 13 years old, Pa Alieu Lowe, 19 years old, and Jarriatou Lowe, who are the son, brother and ex-wife of Baboucar ‘Bai’ Lowe, Warrant Officer Cass 2 of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), are all being detained for 21 days now (today) without release or bail, according to a family source.

Bai Lowe is alleged to be part of the insurgents who attacked the state house on 30 December, last year, who is said to be on the run.

The source said the family is worried about the arrest and continued detention of their loved ones and especially the schooling of both Yusupha and Pa Alieu. He said they have made attempts to visit the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) office in Banjul to take clothes to them but were told that they are being held there.

The source indicated the trauma that the detention is causing the family as access to them is denied and their whereabouts unknown.

He said the family is calling on the authorities to release their loved ones including the boys who are now missing their classes.

The trio was arrested in Lamin around 3pm on 1 January 2015 by men in plain clothes who claimed to have got their orders from the Office of the President and whisked away in a waiting vehicle with tinted glasses to an unknown destination.

Their detention, however, has exceeded the 72 hours required by the 1997 Constitution of the Second Republic of the Gambia for the detention of a person without a court order

ourtsy www.foroyaa.gm

Gambia Fabricates Coup Report

Suspects/Image Provided Courtesy of Standard 

The Gambia government earlier this month issued a statement detailing the public about what it called “attack by dissident Gambian terrorists”. The report was received with sigh of relief, especially from a government that has effectively been sitting on vital information throughout.

Some people however remain skeptical about the content of the entire report. Their argument was based on several factors such as why does such a report issued after the appointment of Neneh Mcduall-Gaye and Sheriff Bojang. President Yahya Jammeh made his intention clear for hiring these two prominent journalists when he asked them to portray a better image of the Gambia, a country mired in negative international media limelight mainly because of its poor human rights credentials and disrespect for democracy.

The propaganda report as some people called it left plenty of room for doubt and speculation to flourish or thrive. For instance, it is hard to see any logic in the government’s statement that the alleged coup suspects planned to bomb Gamtel or Central Bank of the Gambia.

We at Kairo News have since been trying to connect the dots in our effort to bring truth to light. And gauging by the information we are receiving, it is crystally clear that the Jammeh government is on a publicity stunt. “The government’s coup report was a trash of junk, we in State House laughed off when it was issued,” one State House confided in us.

Ends