By Sanna Camara Human rights advocates and the broader human rights community have expressed shock on September 11, 2023, when some religious leaders of The Gambia, through select members of the National Assembly sought to repeal the laws banning the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country. In 2015, The Gambia took a […]
The past two days’ session at the Federal Court in Bellinzona is swirling into a drama upon drama, as Sonko’s lawyer seems to be feeling pressure mounted by revelations against his client, of abuses and human rights violations. Court had to adjourn on Friday morning as the lawyer presented a last-minute medical certificate, after his […]
By Sanna Camara Madi Ceesay was President of Gambia Press Union, Vice President of West Africa Journalists Association and a member of the Federation of African Journalists when he was appointed Manager of The Independent newspaper in 2006. In his statement at the Federal Criminal Court in Switzerland, he recalled how his daughter broke into […]
The drums of despair beat a heavy rhythm in Gambian hearts. The Scorpions, our beloved national team, lie coiled at the bottom of Group C, their venom spent, their hopes dwindling faster than the sands of time. No goals, no points, just a shadow of the team that danced with optimism before the tournament began. […]
By Sanna Camara A witness in the ongoing trial of Mr Ousman Sonko, former Minister in charge of security under Yahya Jammeh told the court in Bellinzona, Switzerland on Tuesday that he was tortured by means of electrocution and other degrading treatments before appearing in front of an investigation panel. When he was thirsty and […]
By Sanna Camara The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona this week continues to hear charges of torture, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence against former Interior Minister Mr Ousman Sonko in Switzerland. Prominent names like former APRC Majority Leader Baba Jobe, former top State Guards Commander Almamo Manneh and opposition activist Solo Sandeng were key highlights […]
By Sanna Camara The Federal Court of Bellinzona, Switzerland yesterday resumed session after a brief break on Friday, with witness Musa Saidykhan, former editor-in-chief of The Independent newspaper, answering questions from Sonko’s lawyer Philip Currat. Mr Currat had last week Thursday asked for a four-hour preparation break to enable him question witness Saidykhan, which was […]
Dakar, Senegal – The German Foundation for Africa and partners recently held a conference on strengthening democracy in Africa and the G7 Countries. The two-day event held on September 26-27 at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office in Berlin was characterized with lively debates on the theme: “How to deal with the increasing systemic competition and external […]
By Sanna Camara His only crime was he stepped into the shoes of the editor-in-chief of a private, perhaps the most critical newspaper in The Gambia under Jammeh, The Independent. Within a year, he found himself at the NIA, beaten, arm-broken, face cut with military bayonet, asked to dig his own grave – all within […]
Embattled former Gambian Interior minister undergoing trial in Switzerland for crimes against humanity charges committed in The Gambia, has broken his silence yesterday 9 January 2024 in Swiss court, bringing his championship of human rights and rule of law in The Gambia, while blaming his former boss for crimes he is alleged to have committed […]
