Another peaceful protester from the United Democratic Party who joined his colleagues to demand the Gambian authorities produce youth leader Solo Sandeng “dead or alive” who was killed by the state has died while in state custody. Mr. Ebrima (Solo) Kurumah from Sandu constituency was arrested May 9th among many other UDP supporters. He was severely tortured by state operatives and reportedly developed blood clot in his brain.
According to UDP official sources Mr. Kurumah died early Saturday morning at the RVTH teaching Hospital. He reportedly suffered from severe headache and was not given the necessary medical attention while his conditions continue to deteriorate. Mr. Kurumah was taken in and out of the hospital for the last 3 months and was denied access to his family and or proper medical care. An emergency operation was carried out on him without the permission or knowledge of his family which cost him his life.
Mr. Kurumah is the second member of UDP supporters to die in State custody as a result of physical, mental and psychological torture. The state has orchestrated the persecution and jailing of United Democratic Party supporters for demanding electoral reforms by peaceful protest. Several members of the UDP including the leader of the party are all serving various sentences ranging from 3 years to 7 years without hard labor. The trial of these peaceful protesters was seen as politically motivated and a deliberate attempt by the Gambian president Yahya Jammeh to continue to forcefully rule over the country. He is on record threatening to kill many opposition supporters before this year’s scheduled Presidential elections in December. He has repeated said some opposition members will not witness the upcoming elections. The dead of Mr. Kurumah is evidence of Yahya Jammeh following up on his threats. Gambians are terrified that many people who are falsely imprisoned and were tortured have been denied proper medical care after being physically tortured. The Gambia people and the international community continue to watch the Gambia government violate the rights of citizens without any consequences. Many are worried that this trend will continue to get worse as elections draws near.