Are Senegalese Authorities Complacent in helping Jammeh Crackdown on Independent Journalists?
News reaching Gainako has it that UK based Gambian Journalist and Radio broadcaster Pa Modou Bojang (Prince) of Kibaaro Radio has been denied entry visa into Senegal . Mr. Bojang was planning on traveling to Senegal on Monday March 16th on a short visit to family but was reportedly denied an entry Visa to Senegal because they alleged that he is a Gambian dissident. The report detailed that Mr. Bojang had applied for a travel visa to visit friends and family and have been waiting for weeks without response. After inquiring with the Senegal external affairs ministry in Dakar about the status of his visa application, Mr. Bojang was sent a short email that “He was not allowed to travel to Senegal” No official reason was advanced for Mr. Bojang’s denial but sources close to the Senegalese authorities indicated that Pa Modou was branded a Gambian dissident and therefore not welcome in Senegal.
In confirming the story, Mr. Bojang who is a political refugee in the UK affirmed that he has indeed been denied entry into Senegal two days before his travel date. “I have been planning on this trip since last year and to deny my Visa two days before my travel is very disappointing to me” I have lost almost 800 Pounds ($1200) on my travel ticket. Mr. Bojang said this is unacceptable to him and that the Senegalese authorities must be confronted and stopped before they can get further on this. Mr. Bojang also reported that he consulted the Senegalese Embassy in the UK who confirmed that they have been receiving a lot of reports from Gambian citizens about traveling to Senegal. The Embassy however, said that the Visa issue is being centralized to Senegal at this time. Pa Bojang who has a popular radio program on Kibaaro Radio called Wularamang Kachaa is a long time broadcast journalist dating back to his days in Brikama for several years.
Readers may recalled that of recent Senegal has been hostile to Gambian dissidents and citizens, worried that the Dictator in Banjul has been crying foul against Senegal for granting Asylum to fleeing Gambian citizens. After the events of December 30th failed alleged attempted coup, Senegal has been even more complacent in helping the Banjul dictator stifle Gambian activists and journalists who have been driven away from their country for their political views. “This is the least expected of a country like Senegal which has a vibrant press freedom” Said a source.
Many Human Rights groups and Gambian activists have condemned President Macky Sall’s government for siding with the dictatorial regime in Banjul to spread his wings in cracking down on political opponents. “Senegal is supposed to be a Democracy and safe haven for journalists and political dissidents fleeing political persecution from the brutal regime in Banjul” said one commentator. However, it appears that Yahya Jammeh has succeeded in not only intimidating Gambians but also the Senegalese government by threatening to ban Senegalese Musicians in performing in Gambia and blocking Macky Sall’s efforts to bring peace to Cassamance – the southern side of Senegal who has been fighting for Independence for decades. Jammeh has also blocked the construction of a Transgambia bridge which is a joint project with Senegal seen as an economic incentive to Senegal in connecting with its Southern region. As a result, Senegalese authorities have pretty much capitulated to Yahya Jammeh’s will in the subregion.
It is an undeniable fact that Senegal has allowed Yahya Jammeh to export his terror against Gambian citizens into Senegal. Several Gambian citizens have allegedly been abducted on Senegalese soil and handed over to Yahya Jammeh who allegedly killed some without mercy. Former Chief of Defense Staff Ndure Cham who allegedly was the mastermind behind the 2006 attempted coup was abducted in Senegal and executed by Gambian authorities. Jammeh was on record threatening that he will set an example on the former defense staff. Of recent another former Government Official Abdoulie Tamba’s burial was allegedly intercepted from burial by Senegalese authorities who were investigating reports that the former runaway AMRC official might have been poisoned.
Consistently Senegal being fully aware of the political situation in the Gambia has increasingly been hostile to Gambians who are fleeing the political nightmare in Banjul. Senegal has become a hosting ground for Jammeh’s terror machine and it is past time for Senegal to get on the same page with the International community in protecting refugees and their families fleeing political oppression in their country. Senegal must realize that refugees anywhere in the world are granted safe haven when they are seeking refuge for their safety. Mr. Bojang’s case is yet another indication that Senegal seems to care more about their image with dictator Jammeh that protecting the civil rights and freedom of innocent Gambian citizens in exile and those fleeing their country. Amnesty International , CJP and other agencies advocating for press freedom and safety of Journalists must confront the Senegalese authorities on this act of sabotage on the freedom of Journalists.
By Demba Baldeh