Lawyer confirms Senegal’s ‘expulsion’ of Gambian opposition leader

Sheikh Sidia Bayo speaking to Senegalese media (Photo taken from Twitter)

“We received an official notification from the Senegalese authorities that my client [Sheikh Sidia] Bayo will be expelled in the coming hours from Senegal,” his lawyer, Assane Dioma Ndiaye, is quoted as saying by Reuters on Monday.

Reports in Dakar, the capital of Gambia‘s neighbour, Senegal, are that the government is preparing to deport Bayo, a France-based Gambian and leader of the National Transitional Council of The Gambia (NTCG) – after he called for an overthrow the Gambian regime.

Senegal’s decision follows a December 30, 2014 armed group attack on the presidential palace in Banjul, the capital overnight – with heavy gunfire that lasted hours – President Yahya Jammeh was out of the country, and it was repelled.

The Gambia’s human rights under scrutiny: Rights groups raise concerns

Thumbs Down: Rights groups say human rights situation in Gambia “shrinking” (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/FPI)

By Modou S. Joof

The press freedom and free expression advocacy agency, ARTICLE 19, has raised concerns at Gambia’s “shrinking” human rights record Tuesday.

The Gambia, a small West African country which is no stranger to criticisms over rights abuses by human rights groups, opposition parties and journalists, is today (October 28, 2014) appearing before UN Human Rights Council for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

A statement from the multinational rights group says it calls for concerted regional and international efforts to “stop the violent repression against free voices and end impunity.”

Senegal: No longer a sanctuary for African dissidents

The West African State has adopted a policy of expelling African refugees critical of their home countries

Senegal president Macky Sall-walks-down-stairs-as-he-leaves-an-airplane-on-october-18-2012-upon-arrival-to-the-felix-houphouet-boigny-airport-in-abidjan-to-attend-the-58th-congress (photo credit: Getty Images)

By Modou S. Joof

Senegal has earned itself worldwide respect and recognition for its democratic principles, respect for human rights and the rule of law – democratic tenets founded by the West African country’s first President, Leopold Sedar Senghor from 1960 to 1980.

However, the government’s recent adoption of an unexpected policy of expelling African refugee dissidents, who have sought refuge in Senegal and are still critical of their home governments, is becoming worrisome.

Under the leadership of President Macky Sall, who was seen as an emblem for democracy in African following his election in 2012, the country has taken what observers calls a “democratic u-turn” by deporting African refugees to countries where their safety and security is not guaranteed.

Senegal: Authorities ‘threaten’ to expel Gambian freelance journalist

Senegal’s Government has adopted an “unannounced policy of expelling foreign dissidents” who have seek refuge in the West African country which have seen a slight deterioration in respect for human rights under the leadership of Macky Sall since April (Photo Credit: Abubacarr Saidykhan/Facebook)

By Modou S. Joof

Senegalese authorities have “threatened” to expel Gambian freelance journalist, Abubacarr Saidykhan on Monday, if he continue to be opposed to the Gambian regime, according to reports.

Saidykhan has been living in the Senegalese capital Dakar in self-imposed exile since fleeing The Gambia in October 2012 over reported “death threats” leveled against him by unidentified men believed to be state security agents.

Prior to his flight, freelance journalist Saidykhan was arrested and detained in September 2012 by the Banjul Bureau of the International Police Agency, INTERPOL, after he and a colleague journalist, Baboucarr Ceesay, had applied for a police permit to peacefully demonstrate against President Yahya Jammeh’s execution of nine death row inmates by firing squad.

Reports indicated that two senior officials of the President Macky Sall-led Government met Saidykhan recently over the fate of his asylum application – and told him “Senegal will not allow any Gambian fugitive in Senegal to continue to be actively involved in opposition to the authorities in The Gambia”.

Senegal undecided over Kukoi’s burial

Kukoi’s reign as Gambia’s Head of State was brought to an abrupt halt on August 5, 1981 by Senegalese troops – five days after his National Revolutionary Council, NRC, seized power.

By Modou S. Joof

Authorities in neighbouring Senegal are undecided over the burial of late Gambian dissident, Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who died in the Malian capital Bamako on June 18.

Latest online reports indicated that Kukoi’s body is kept at a mortuary in Dakar, where the Senegalese Government is waiting for a decision as to where he is to be buried.

His body was repatriated to the West African nation at the expense of the Macky Sall Government, which had expelled and deported him to troubled Mali in April.

Gambian dissident, Kukoi Samba Sanyang, dies at 61

Kukoi Samba Sanyang died in Bamako, Mali on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

By Modou S. Joof

Online media reports says Gambian dissident Kukoi Samba Sanyang has died on Tuesday in Bamako, Malian capital at the age of 61.

Kukoi, who was expelled by Macky Sall’s Government in April, was briefly admitted at a hospital in Mali before he was pronounced death, according to media reports.