EDITORIAL      [input]
     EDITORIAL


  The killers of Gambia's veteran journalist Deyda Hydara, are still walking scot free in the streets of  Banjul. The Jammeh government had not demonstrated any interest to pursue the killers of the country's leading journalist. It is now one year and yet nothing is done on this high profile crime case against the media and The Gambia in general. My former boss and mentor Deyda Hydara was ambushed and killed by enemies of freedom in The Gambia on December 16TH, 2004. His killers also left two female editorial staffers of the Point Ida Jagne and Nyan Jobe critically injured. Deyda's perceived crime was reporting the truth about the corrupt and dictatorial Jammeh government.

  I was privileged to work with Deyda  Hydara. Prior to his death,  I remember him informing  me  about death threat phone calls and anonymous letters, he received from pro government supporters complaining about our reportage of national issues. Deyda, a gallant and fearless journalist, was never intimidated by such heartless  and blood thirsty individuals determined to take our lives. He published editorials saying that  he will be more than happy to be killed in the line of his duty as a journalist.

  Deyda's  work as a journalist was not well appreciated by the army, State House officials, the NIA, the police and some business executives in the private sector. It is on record that the army had time and time picked on Deyda,  including this writer for exposing torture cases attributed to them by The  Gambian public. They accused  us of unprofessionalism and bent on undermining the army. Newspaper clippings of  Deyda's war of words with the army spokesman Captain Bunja Darboe, Jammeh's Kairaba Beach Hotel's  Swiss manager, Baba K Jobe and host of others could be accessed in the Point achieves.

  I last spoke to Deyda, two weeks prior to his murder. At the time, Deyda was in high spirit. I remember him telling me "We missed the breaking news stories,  you used to write for the Point."  Myself and Deyda used to discuss editorial issues and stories to be pursued by the paper.  He was very concerned about my safety as a leading writer for the Point. Each time,  I closed from work, Deyda will call me to double check if I reach home safely.  He visits me at my Manjie-Kunda  house and was very close to my family.

  Prior to my departure from The Gambia, armed paramilitary officers launched two days vigil around my compound premises, unbeknowing to me. I learnt about their presence following a tip off I received from a  concerned neighbour, who told me that the armed guards were hiding in an incomplete building opposite my house.  At the time a Suzuki, truck was packed around my house fence by unknown individual(s).

  On my arrival at the Point, I informed Deyda, who  advised me to alert my employers at the Voice of America radio and also to run a story on the Point about the said armed paramilitary officers around  my compound vicinity. Deyda was not only concerned about my life, but that of my family.  He was very disturbed about the armed police presence  at my home and had published editorials  about death threats myself and him  received. I remember a proclaimed GNA soldier calling the Point one early morning insulting us saying that "You guys are digging your own graves. We will get you."  This was the time when our paper was investigating the kairaba  Beach Hotel ownership and employment dispute cases. A Swiss National assigned to manage the hotel stormed our offices,  one morning telling Deyda that he should be careful, as he had the backing of the government of the day. He says President Jammeh was his " boy   boy and and a "TAPALAPA" Newspaper like the Point cannot succeed in its bid
 to probe him and Jammeh's hotel.

  As Gambians, pay their respect to the country's veteran journalist Deyda Hydara, it is imperative to note that Deyda was a  victim of state heavy handedness and brutality. Jammeh and his government had subjected him to all forms of persecution over the years. Notwithstanding, Deyda was determined to fulfil his journalistic duties. This was a man, who put his life on the line to defend the press freedom and democracy in The Gambia.  Deyda, died in the name of defending the god given rights and liberties of  Gambians.  He spent his valuable time and resources just to empower voiceless Gambians. For some reasons, enemies of freedom decided to take his life.


  Few weeks ago, I received an email from Ida Jagne, one the victims who survived the Deyda murder incident. Ms.Jange is responding to  treatment. Thanks to  The Gambia L online forum, she was able to access my email address. Ida was one of those ladies who used to type my lead stories at the Point. Each time,  I walked into the computer room she will tell me "Pa Nderry, we are waiting for you. The front page is not yet filled. Go ahead and write your stories, so that we can go home."

  Deyda, was concerned about the well being of his family and staffers. Staff moral was very high at the Point. Each time,  a staffer was absent from work he will call to find out if the person was okay.  Deyda's death is a  big loss to The Gambia and her people. He was also  very supportive to The Gambia Press Union. Deyda, used to take his own money to help the Union.

  We do not expect justice in Deyda's case under Jammeh's watch. There are sufficient evidence to suggest that this government will never, never attempt to set up a serious investigations into the death of Hydara. The so called NIA confidential report on the death of Deyda, tantamount to murder itself. The investigators never said anything positive about the late journalist, which suggested  that the state  harboured grudges against Hydara. Instead of telling us who killed Hydara, the state invaded the privacy of  Hydara, accusing him of adultery and provocation. There was no grain of truth in such findings. Deyda, was a decent and pious Muslim, who cared for his family and The Gambia.

  I think the attributes linked to Deyda, fits Yahya Jammeh better, who is bent on luring people's wives into relationship. TV journalists at the GRTS  are living witnesses to Jammeh's womanising business. At the GRTS, promotion is not based on qualifications, or competence, but those who are willing to sing Jammeh's praises. A female GRTS reporter named withheld was detained few years ago, for leaking information that the President wanted to marry her. The said reporter was warned for leaking such a sensitive information and later had to quit her job.  Will Jammeh tell us what led to the mass exodus of GRTS veteran journalists? The TV is today paralysed, as most of its competent staff had left.

  While the state is bent on black mailing Deyda, a day will come, witnesses will testify against those who killed the country's principled and dedicated journalist. Jammeh, was an enemy to  Deyda and his reaction to Deyda's death speak volumes. As promised, we will release our own findings soon and Gambians will be shocked about the information we are privy of. This is no bluff.  Whoever, is implicated in this gruesome murder will be named.

  We condemned the recent move taken  by The Gambian government to deny visa to our colleagues  working with the Paris based Reporters Without Borders. We do know that Jammeh is apparently not happy with the recent findings on Deyda's death released by the press freedom defender organisation. The visa denial, goes to show that this government will go all out to frustrate efforts to bring the killers of Deyda Hydara to book. Reporters without Borders committed no crime. Deyda,  used to work for them and all what they reported was the truth and nothing but the truth. Denying them visa, tells a lot about the type of government we have in The Gambia.

  On a final note, we urge the Hydara family to continue to  put their faith in God. Justice will no doubt be meted out to those behind such an heinous crime. The Gambia is being ruled by blood thirsty dictator, who killed, jailed and imprisoned his opponents. We hope and pray that our country will be liberated soon from such an  iron hand dictator. God save The Gambia and her people.  We rest our case.


  The author is the former Secretary General of The Gambia press Union and also a former Voice of America radio Banjul Correspondent. Mr. M'Bai who now resides in the US State of North Carolina Raleigh was a leading political and crime reporter with the Point and Daily Observer newspapers respectively. He can be reached by email at the following addresses: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]

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