A Gambian journalist who is also a stringer for Agence France-Presse has threaten to go on hunger strike if detained by the government of the Gambia.
The arrest and detention of Abdoulie John is reported by the Jollofnews.com, another online news site that he served as am editor. If confirmed this is another setback for Gambian journalists who work under hostile environment. Abdoulie John also onetime editor with the Daily Observer, a pro-government newspaper was arrested and detained on 9th December 2012.
Daily News has reportedly contacted the Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union; Mr. Gibairu Janneh to confirmed the arrest and detention of John, but he could not confirm at the time of going to press. Janneh however promise to find out and will come back to the Daily News.
Here is a version of the Jollofnews.
The head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) ordered the detention of Mr Abdoulie John, JollofNews Gambia Editor who was attending a ceremony in Tambakunda village, near the Senegalese province of Casamance, ON Sunday the 9th December 2012.
Upon their arrival in Tambakunda, the photographer, Sulayman Gassama, demanded to know who invited John to the occasion. This is contained a news release from Jollofnews. John replied that he should go and ask the organisers.
Gasama’s insistence forced John to tell him to "Go to hell!"
Later, the NIA director approached John and said: "Mr John, you stay here. You will not go with us!"
He then ordered some military personnel to arrest the journalist, put him in a military pick-up and took him to Sibanor Police Station in Foni, and then put him in a different vehicle which was moving behind a convoy towards Banjul.
John is threatening to go on hunger strike if they detain him.
“I will start a hunger strike total one,” he said.
The world should know that this was how Chief Manneh got disappeared, after been reported on by a fellow journalist.
JollofNews holds the Jammeh government entirely responsible for Abdoulie John’s life. Also, Sulayman Gasama and the NIA boss will be held equally responsible.
As we go to press Abdoulie John is on his way to NIA headquarters in Banjul.
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