Thursday, April 14, 2016

GAMBIA: Curfew declared in The Gambia following clashes between security forces and protesters

Gambians demonstrating against dictatorship and electoral reforms
Groupe Futurs Medias (GFM) of Senegal is reporting that a dusk to dawn curfew has been declared in The Gambia following clashes between security forces and protesters who carried banners denouncing the dictatorial regime of Yaya Jammeh and against the recently passed draconian electoral laws.

Protesters are demanding repeal of these laws as condition for the opposition's participation in the December 2016 scheduled presidential elections against Jammeh who is seeking a 5th term mandate.  He has already occupied State House for 22 years.

According to GFM. the peaceful demonstration against the regime of Yaya Jammeh was violently suppressed by the Gambian security forces.

The protesters were mostly young and peaceful who were demanding electoral reforms and carrying placards that read "We need proper electoral reform" and " No to dictatorship."

According to GFM, a truck-full of armed paramilitary officers stormed the protesters and arrested a number of protesters including the group's leader named Solo Sandeng who is believed to be remanded at the notorious Mile II prisons.  Unconfirmed reports say up to 28 persons may have been arrested and remanded also at Mile II prisons.

These events are taking place in the absence of the Gambian dictator, Yaya Jammeh, who is currently in Ankara, attending the 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference,