DUGA recently embarked on a sensitization campaign in Senegal to bring awareness to its citizens, the press, human rights defenders, diplomats and government officials of the gross human rights violations in Gambia and its effect on Senegal. It is DUGA’s view that Senegal has a vital role to play in putting an end to the criminal activities of the Jammeh regime. It is an open secret that Jammeh has been the main sponsor of the MFDC, and a destabilizing force in the Senegambia region. It is in this vein that we are convinced that the Senegalese population must be sensitized, and its government be held accountable for not more forcefully engaging Jammeh on his criminal activities in Senegal.
DUGA’s sensitization campaign continued with open letters to Ouza Diallo, Thionne Seck, Coumba Gawlo Seck and Youssou Ndour to bring to their attention the blatant insensitivity displayed to Jammeh victims and their families by praise singing the most brutal leader in Africa. We appealed to artists who have earned the support and adulation of fans in The Gambia, to be mindful of the painful impact their words of praise, heaped on one of the most oppressive leaders in the world, Yahya Jammeh, has on the multitudes of Gambians whose voices have been silenced, by death, threats and fear.
DUGA held a joint press conference with Y’en a Marre, who have been in the forefront of Senegal’s recent political crossroads. An understanding was reached between the two parties to form partnership and create a working platform, ENOUGH, for continued sensitization and other activist methods.
Duga would like to express gratitude to Article 19, Y’en a Marre, Amnesty International all those encountered for their unwavering support, understanding and expertise in our quest for the singular goal of restoring democracy to The Gambia. Furthermore, DUGA calls on all Gambian civil society organization for engagement, solidarity and collaborative actions in tackling the monumental task of achieving a free Gambia. It is time for COOPERATION not COMPETITION.
To commemorate the callous and senseless assassination of 14 Gambian students by the Jammeh regime and maiming of many others on April 10/11 2000, a date that is forever etched in our hearts and souls, DUGA is proposing a 14-14-14 global Campaign with protests throughout the world, in cities wherever Gambians are found, from Atlanta to Zimbabwe. To give this the respect and impact it deserves, we are calling all civil society groups to collaborate and make it happen.
Finally, DUGA expresses a sincere thank you to Senegalese and Gambian print and online media, as well as its citizens for the support and encouragement.
Democratic Union of Gambia Activists (DUGA)