Renowned Gambian civil society activist, Madi Jobarteh has paid tribute to the leadership of the pro-democracy movement, 3 Years Jotna, who were detained for several weeks for protesting against President Adama Barrow’s continuous stay in power.
Writing on his Facebook page shortly after visiting the activists at the Mile Two Prisons shortly before they were granted court bail, Mr Jobarteh said he was hugely impressed with their deep sense of resolve and positivity.
He said during the discussion with the activists, which he described fruitful, he told them that he consider them as prisoners of conscience who should not be behind bars.
“Therefore, so long as they remain behind bars I feel I am also imprisoned! If one citizen’s right could be destroyed and sent to prison then every citizen must consider himself of herself under oppression as well,” he said.
He added: “I told them of my stance in defense of their right to freedom of assembly. I strongly uphold that anyone who holds public office or is seeking public office must be held accountable. Citizens must have the right and ability without any fetters to express dissent and to demonstrate peaceably.
“I made it clear to them there is no law that empowers the state to ban the group arbitrarily hence they must completely and totally reject and ignore the dictatorial statement by the Government Spokesperson on January 26.
“We may not agree with any person or group but we must defend the rights of all especially the four fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, association and belief. It is when these freedoms are threatened and damaged with impunity that dictatorship becomes the order of the day.”
President Barrow had pledged during the 2016 election campaign to rule for only three years. He said he would use the three years in office to produce a new constitution, repeal all draconian laws, reform the country’s security forces and civil service and plant the seed of democracy and respect for the rule of law.
However, the president has changed his mind and wants to rule for five years. He has also set up his party, the National People’s Party (NPP) which he intends to lead in future elections.
