H.E. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh
President of the Republic of The Gambia
State House
Banjul
The Gambia

Fax: +220 227 034

Vienna, 31 March 2006

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the attack on the private bi-weekly newspaper, The Independent.

According to information before IPI, police in Gambia arrested the editor, Musa Saidykhan, and the general manager, Madi Ceesay, of The Independent, and closed the paper's offices, on 28 March. The newspaper's offices were sealed by security forces that morning, and all staff were detained. Most were later released, but Saidykhan and Ceesay were kept in detention. Authorities have not yet given an explanation for the actions of the police.

The Independent's managing editor and publisher, Alagi Yorro Jallow, who was persecuted and is now living abroad, stated that according to reports from his staff on 29 March, the offices remained sealed and security officials were stationed there, and none of the staff were allowed to enter the office. Both Saidykhan and Ceesay were held incommunicado at the Banjul Police headquarters. They were denied visits by family members and colleagues.

Reportedly, the newspaper ran a story critical of the government last week, after a failed coup plot. Jallow also said that he was informed that their arrest was in connection with a story published in the Friday edition of the paper titled "How Wealthy is Jammeh?", which questioned the wealth of the President. The edition also contained an opinion piece by Ceesay in which he pointed out that the President also took power in a coup and criticised his record of 12 years of rule.

According to reports, the Friday edition of the bi-weekly newspaper will not appear, as the newspaper's headquarters were still sealed off.

"I am very worried about [Saidykhan and Ceesay's] condition and urge them to be released unconditionally. The story is in the public domain and it only reported and quoted an opposition leader Halifa Sallah. I am also urging the authorities to release the two journalists and allow The Independent staff to resume their normal duties." Jallow said.

IPI is deeply worried about this latest attack on The Independent, which is a staunch critic of the government. This is not the first attack on The Independent. On 13 April 2004, six armed men stormed the building housing The Independent's printing press in Kanifing, a suburb of the capital, Banjul. Several members of the staff were injured and all of the paper's printing equipment was destroyed. Other attacks on the newspaper in 2004 were a death threat, dated 13 January, that was issued against Alagi Yorro Jallow, and he was also mistreated by the police on 2 February.

IPI urges Your Excellency to authorise an immediate and thorough investigation into these incidents and to do everything in your power to create an environment in the Gambia that allows journalists to practice their profession without fear of harassment and intimidation.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director