Friday, August 26, 2016

Jammeh must also release the body of Solo Sandeng

Reacting to public pressure, the dictatorial regime of Yaya Jammeh has decided, finally, to release the body of Ebrima Solo Krummah, after a week of holding on to the body in contravention of the tenets of the Muslim faith.

Ebrima Solo Krummah who was serving a three-year sentence, together with Ousainou Darboe, leader of the UDP, for leading and/or participating in a peaceful demonstration.

Mr. Krummah was imprisoned because he was out peacefully demonstrating and demanding that the regime produce Solo Sandeng, dead or alive, when it was learned that after his arrest, he was tortured and died at the hands of the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Persistent denial by Yaya Jammeh that Solo Sandeng died in custody last until it was no longer sustainable to do so because of the loud cries from all corners.  He finally relented by admitting that indeed Solo Sandeng died in the hands of the NIA.  However, he has still refused to release the body.  We wonder why.

If the regime could release the body of Ebrima Solo Krummah, Yaya Jammeh should be able to release the body of Solo Sandeng as well so that he is accorded the same rites as prescribed by his Muslim faith,   We are asking the Supreme Islamic Council to join those demanding the release of he body of Ebrima Solo Sandeng so that he can be laid to rest in accordance with the tenets of the Muslim faith.

Unfortunately, Solo Sandeng's body is not the only one being held hostage by a regime that has this bizarre habit of holding bodies of his political opponents hostage who have either been extra-judicially executed as was the case of the nine death row prisoners four years ago or died in a gun battle as in the 30th December 2014 attack on State House by diaspora Gambians in an attempt to dislodge the regime failed.  The bodies of all of these fallen victims of the regime are being held hostage by Jammeh.  They should all be exhumed and their remains returned to loved ones for decent burial.