Senegal Alert: Exiled Gambian Journalist Escapes Kidnapping Attempt in Dakar

Yahya Dampha, a Gambian journalist, who is in exile in Senegal, on March 10, 2008, escaped a kidnapping attempt by suspected agents of the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA) of The Gambia.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that at about 12 noons three plain-clothed agents of the NIA went to Dampha's home in Dakar to abduct him, but through the intervention of his neighbours, the men fled.

The sources said Dampha sought the intervention of his neighbours on recognizing one of the men, Habib Drammeh, an NIA operative attached to President Yahya Jammeh's office in Banjul.

Dampha was one of the witnesses who testified at the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, Nigeria in the case of Chief Ebrima Manneh, a "disappeared" Gambian journalist.

In June 2007, the MFWA filed a suit at the community court to demand the release of Manneh who has been in detention since his arrest two years ago.

Dampha, and several other witnesses who testified for the plaintiff, had mentioned five state agents of The Gambia as having played various roles in the arrest and detention of Manneh.

The alleged attempt to kidnap Dampha occurred the day before the agents were expected to appear before the ECOWAS court.

Dampha told MFWA that prior to the attempt, he had been receiving threatening phone calls and agents were also questioning his neighbours.

Until he fled The Gambia, Dampha was working with the Banjul-based pro-opposition newspaper, Foroyaa. He was arrested together with two officials of Amnesty International. They were detained for six days before being charged with espionage.  

Prof. Kwame Karikari

Executive Director

MFWA

Tel: 233 21 242470

Fax: 233 21 221084

Email: mfwa@africaonline.gh.com

Website: www.mediafound.org