Alagi Yorro Jallow.
Mamudu: Today marks the 17th anniversary of the disappearance of Chief B. Ebrima Manneh following his arrest by suspected members of Gambia’s National Intelligence Agency. A courageous and resolute journalist, Chief Manneh was secretly detained after his arrest in July 2006. He is believed to have died in mid-2008 while being transferred from a police station to Diabugu Batapa hospital, and it is suspected that he was buried behind that police station. His unwavering commitment to truth and justice continues to inspire journalists worldwide.
Today marks the 19th anniversary of Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh’s disappearance. Legends should be celebrated, not mourned. I grieve for those who lived without leaving an imprint, but I honor those who have left a lasting impact through kindness, meaningful deeds, wit, courage, leadership, and advocacy for the voiceless. Such individuals never truly perish; their spirit endures within us. We may not see another like Chief Ebrima Manneh, but his journalistic endeavors have inspired many, myself included. Beginning his career at the Independent newspapers before moving to the Daily Observer, his legacy reminds us that it’s our turn to fill the shoes of the greats. I celebrate you, Chief Ebrima Manneh. May you rest in peace, and may Allah grant you Aljannah Firdaus. His legacy persists, underscoring the vital role of journalists in shedding light on society’s darkest corners. May his courage inspire continued pursuit of truth and justice, regardless of the dangers.
The Gambia has witnessed a decline in its humanity, a situation worsened by the Gambian private media. Among our lost colleagues is Chief Ebrima Manneh, whose life was tragically ended by the henchmen of former president Yahya Jammeh through torture at Mile II Central Prison.
On this grave occasion, we pay tribute to Ebrima B. Manneh, a Gambian journalist who made the ultimate sacrifice in the quest for truth and justice. Arrested on July 7, 2006, by plainclothes officers at the Daily Observer’s offices, believed to be from the National Intelligence Agency, Ebrima Manneh’s disappearance was veiled in mystery, with the government providing no official explanation. In January, the police formally notified his family of his passing, yet details of the circumstances or the responsible parties remain elusive. The family is deprived of closure, unaware of his body’s location. Countless individuals have fervently advocated for his release, and now, in the face of tragedy, they echo the family’s demand for justice. The incumbent Gambian government has pledged to seek justice for those wronged during the Jammeh regime. We call for an independent inquiry into the enforced disappearance and demise of Ebrima Manneh, ensuring those culpable are brought to justice in a fair judicial process.
May Allah perpetually bless his soul with Alijannah Firdausi.
Currently, numerous individuals occupy prominent positions in President Adama Barrow’s government without having contributed to the democratic resistance or the struggle for the Gambia’s third liberation. They are reaping the benefits of the sacrifices made by Gambian martyrs, heroes, and heroines who valiantly fought for democracy and freedom of expression—freedoms they now take for granted on social media. In the Gambian diaspora, there were those too apprehensive to believe that the tyrant Yahya Jammeh could rule indefinitely. They abstained from the fight to end his tyranny, remaining silent when even a symbolic gesture would have been significant. Their silence was a tacit endorsement of Yahya Jammeh’s malevolent dictatorship. Instead, they isolated themselves, focusing solely on personal and professional advancement, while pro-democracy activists braved the harsh winter and extreme weather, protesting against authoritarianism.
Nevertheless, some joined the struggle later when their family members fell victim to the atrocities of Jammeh’s regime, which in turn vindicated our stance. Even worse, this has led to the deepening of ethnic and regional politics in Gambia today. At that time, they overlooked the moral and political imperative to advocate and battle for genuine democracy, spearheading the struggle as a pan-Gambian movement to free Gambia from kleptocracy.
The heroes and heroines of Gambia’s pro-democracy movement were primarily advocacy and civic journalists, a few political parties, and some pro-democracy diaspora activists who sacrificed their careers, families, and education. Others gave their lives for the Gambian struggle, such as the late Chief Ebrima Manneh. The Adama Barrow government has a duty to foster an environment where their businesses and education can prosper, improving their living conditions. The government is also committed to transforming Gambia to honor their sacrifices.
Gambia’s current liberty and freedom stem from an enduring struggle across the nation. The run-up to the Gambian Third Liberation Struggle saw the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh attempting to maintain tyrannical rule, failing to suppress all pro-democracy activists and journalists. Many prominent Gambians played key roles in fostering the national resistance movement and restoring democratic participation and pluralism. The struggle for freedom culminated in liberation from Yahya Jammeh’s tyranny. The invaluable contributions of activists, journalists, and freedom fighters cannot be overstated. Our independence and freedom today are the results of the efforts and sacrifices of these individuals.
Over time, the concept of freedom in Gambia has evolved. Initially, it meant autonomy from Imperial constraints, but now the nation seeks liberation from the adverse effects of that freedom. Currently, Gambia is experiencing a sort of calamity.
At a time when modern-day freedom fighters are needed, the resurgence of civic and activist journalism is essential for those brave enough to advocate for national cleansing. A man strides into this space, seasoned in activism, politics, and governance since his days as a trainee at the Independent newspaper.
The late Chief Ebrima Manneh emerged as a significant national activist over recent decades, advocating for a shift in the Gambian mindset. Arrested at the Daily Observer’s premises by the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA), with the complicity of the late Dr. Saja Taal, the managing editor, he was targeted solely for performing his journalistic duties. Facing the Gambia’s regressive decline, human rights abuses, and corruption, his reporting and word choice in articles were misconstrued by authorities as subversive acts. Despite this, Chief Manneh endured arrest, re-arrest, charges, denial of bail, incommunicado detention across the country, and ultimately, extrajudicial execution. Since then, Chief Manneh’s colleagues in the private media and his family have been embroiled in a struggle to secure his release or recover his body for a proper burial, all while fighting to uphold their right to stand, speak out, and strive for the Gambia.
For the rapidly expanding Gambian community, witnessing Chief Manneh’s ordeal,
Mamudu: Chief Manneh has been regarded as the unassuming activist and journalist that the Gambia desperately needed, crucial in exposing the corruption eroding the nation’s core. The nationalism that Chief Ebrima Manneh epitomized offers a broader perspective with specific possibilities. Ebrima Manneh’s steadfast dedication to truth and justice stands as a guiding light for journalists around the globe. Let his legacy motivate us to persist in the struggle for press freedom and accountability.
