Michael Scale Pays Tribute To Deyda Hydara

Dear Mr. Editor,

As the minutes tick away to the end of this sad day....the 16th December 2009, I am privileged to share with you the mark of respect given to Mr. Deyda Hydara by all the online newspapers. It is a day of infamy to match many others that are recorded by the honourable company of journalists around the world. I am certain Mr. Hydara would be touched by such a good show of solidarity. For death is never final when such good men and women stand to mark this day with silence and fond remembrance of an outstanding friend and college to so many. May his memory inspire more young people to join this noble club and follow in his fearless footsteps?

Murder Most Foul: The Killing of Deyda Hydara

(culled from Mandela’s Other Children: The Diary of an African Journalist)

By Baba Galleh Jallow

December 17, 2004. Deyda Hydara, 58, Editor and co-founder of The Point newspaper has been brutally murdered. Deyda was gunned down last night, around 11:00pm, as he drove home from his office. It was the thirteenth anniversary of The Point and Deyda and his colleagues had spent the day celebrating. But for Deyda, the meal he had that day was his last. Among the guests at his office, chatting and talking, showing teeth hiding streams of hot blood, or just waiting nearby outside his office, were some men who knew that Deyda would not see the light of the day tomorrow.

Tribute to Slain Journalist Deyda Hydra

By Binneh s Minteh, Former Gambian Army Lieutenant

Newark, New Jersey

Much has been said about the vicious -brutal murder of late Journalist Deyda Hydra, but  very little  has been done thus far in bringing the perpetrators of such a heinous crime committed in the annals of Gambian history.  The late journalist Deyda Hydra was gunned by unknown assailants two years ago on 16 December 2004.

International community urged to react five years after prominent journalist’s murder

English (http://www.rsf.org/International-community-urged-to,35338.html)

Français (http://www.rsf.org/Cinq-ans-apres-l-assassinat-de.html)

Reporters Without Borders (http://www.rsf.org)

Press Release

15 December 2009

GAMBIA

International community urged to react five years after prominent journalist’s murder.

On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the still unpunished murder of Deyda Hydara, the joint editor of the Banjul-based daily The Point, on 16 December 2004, Reporters Without Borders condemns the investigation’s obstruction by President Yahya Jammeh’s government and the international community’s failure to do anything about it.  “We express our solidarity with Hydara’s family and colleagues and with the Gambian press, which has been subjected to fear, silence and injustice since December 2004,” Reporters Without Borders said. “In view of the Gambian government’s lack of good faith, we urge the US intelligence services to release the information about Hydara’s death that they have at their disposal.”

One Plus One Furniture Store Owner And Businessman Kebba Touray Released From State Custody

By Boy Badjie, Freedom Newspaper Contributor  Banjul.

The proprietor of the One Plus One Furniture Store Rambo has been released alongside with the Tabaccoroad prominent businessman Kebba Touray, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report. Rambo, a Lebanese National was among the dozens of army officers and civilians detained by the state on allegations of coup plot. During a visit to his store, this Freedom Newspaper contributor had a conversation with him. Mr. Rambo who appeared confident would not say if he was released unconditionally by the state. He merely said he was pleased to be back home. His store is up and running.