Stop The Illegal Arrests of UDP Activists!!!!
It has been brought to CORDEG’s attention that UDP Youth activists were recently arrested in the village of Madiana in Kombo South. The following among others were arrested: Fatty, Fakeba Kolly, Falang Sonko, Baby Sonko, Maimuna Darboe, Lang Marong. Their crime? Peacefully engaging in party activities – a perfectly legal behavior.
These latest arrests took place against the backdrop of numerous prior blatant violations of the rights of UDP members by the regime, actions meant to cripple the party and stifle its ability to mount a formidable challenge against the Yaya Jammeh rule. Among many from the past, the recent illegal arrest, detention and torture of Amadou Sanneh, Lasana Jobarteh, Solo Sandeng and others are all part of that scheme. Yaya even recently threaded the dangerous and potentially catastrophic line of tribal politics by singling out the UDP and the Mandinka ethnic group (the ethnicity of the leader of the party leader, Ousainou Darbo) by launching an irrational tirade against the two.
The Gambia constitution allows for freedom of assembly and association. These actions have proven to all that Yaya does not respect these fundamental provisions of the constitution. UDP and all other parties have every right to peacefully conduct party business anyhow they deem fit. No one has any rights to stop any from doing so.
CORDEG, as a fully constituted body now, will not standby and allow these kinds of unconstitutional behavior against any political group, party, or individual to continue. Yaya Jammeh and the APRC are therefore put on notice. All legal means will be employed to address these violations of our constitution. A violation of one is a violation of all is the CORDEG mantra and it will be guided strictly by that principle. Thank you.
Dr. Abdoulie Saine
Chair, CORDEG