Deyda Hydara’s Death Linked To President Yahya Jammeh- Says Reporters Without Borders in their 2008 Press freedom report!

“About 90% of murders of journalists go entirely or partly unpunished. Governments often play for time and count on fading public memory to protect the killers. Reporters Without Borders is fighting against such impunity year after year with constant campaigns focusing on old cases. In 2007, the organisation condemned the authorities in Burkina Faso, nine years after the murder of journalist Norbert Zongo, for abandoning the investigation of his death while there was clear evidence involving members of the presidential guard. It also strongly condemned obstacles put in the way of the enquiry into the December 2004 murder in Gambia of journalist Deyda Hydara, its correspondent there, whose death has also been linked to the president.” According to a press freedom report just released by the Paris based Reporters Without Borders. Below is the full text of the report. Please read on…

Reporters Without Borders

Paris, 2 January 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(more detailed figures in the PDF enclosed)

PANORAMA with 'Bulfaaleh's meet the Gambians tour-Shiriff Hydara dies in Casamance people speaking.

Who is Shiriff Dino Hydara?

The Shiriff Dino Hydara the one who was killed in Casamance a week ago was named after his great grand father,Samsudeen-'JATTO' Hydara. The younger Hydara was born in 1969 therefore a youngster. His great grand father was nicknamed 'JATTO'-Lion by his followers during his era as great marabout in Casamance. During his childhood days he stayed in The Gambia at Latrikunda where his father used to be. The same last name Hydara connects his origin to one Lateef Hydara an official at the office of the President in Dakar Senegal.

The SeneGambian new year party held in Raleigh, NC was a success story. People dance all night long. DJ Tony Jawo and DJ Mo Jaiteh entertained the crowd with nice “ndaga” and reggae lyrics. The hall was full to capacity. Food and drinks were in abundance.

Michael Scales Says 20 Percent Salary Increment Might Further Aggravate Current Inflation!!

By Micheal Scales, UK

Dear Mr.Editor,

May I accept the notice of a 20% wage increase for Civil Servants in The Gambia with a note of despair. Having reached the completion point for Debt Relief allied to satisfactory control of inflation since 2005.The prudent management of the economy takes on a new meaning with the positive and negative influences of the increased lending capability of The Government of The Gambia.Whislt I appreciate the euphoria of the birth of Master Mohammed Jammeh to the Presidents family and the joy to myself and the nation this brings,I can not help thinking that the decision to increase salaries by a staggering 20% at one go,is more emotional than prudent and will play havoc to the continued control of inflation, producing a further rise in staple food prices.To inflict such pressure on the economy without any control of commodities will undoubtedly send the wrong signals to the speculators and indeed ,the IMF and The World Bank.Those who will feel this most will be the very poor and disenfranchised vulnerable parents with children.