(JollofNews) – The United States government has urged Gambia to immediately release opposition figures who were arrested earlier this year after a second detainee died in custody on Aug. 20.
The State Department said on its website it was “deeply concerned” by the death of Ibrima Solo Krummah, an official of the main opposition United Democratic Party, who had been held since May. Krummah died after an operation but it wasn’t clear why he was in the hospital, Agence France-Presse reported on Monday, citing a member of his party.
In April, Amnesty International announced the death in custody of Solo Sandeng, a well-known activist and organizing secretary of the UDP. Gambia carried out a wave of arrests after a rare public protest to call for electoral reform.
President Yahya Jammeh, who came to power in a 1994 coup, rules The Gambia with an iron fist.
His regime is regularly accused by rights groups of forcibly disappearing opponents.
He has blasted the UN and Amnesty International for demanding an investigation into Sandeng’s death, saying they could “go to hell”.
Will it be dangerous to visit The Gambia as a tourist in November/ December this year?
I’m used to go there one or twice a year. First time in 1964 as a young sailor, now as a retired seaman.
You are welcome and promisingly, will live and rest in peace as far as Gambia is concerned. Am part of Gambians, but what is being posted sometimes is just stories. Gambia is always peaceful and will remain peaceful.