H.E. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh
President of the Republic of The Gambia
State House
Banjul
The Gambia

Fax: +220 227 034

Vienna, 16 April 2004

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the 13 April arson attack on the printing press of the private bi-weekly newspaper, The Independent.

According to information before IPI, six armed men stormed the building housing The Independent’s printing press in Kanifing, a suburb of the capital, Banjul, on the morning of 13 April. The attackers fired shots, then poured petrol over the equipment and set it on fire. Apparently, the men tried to lock employees inside the burning building, but staff members managed to escape. Three people were injured, when they tried to free themselves, and were hospitalised. The printing press had only started operating three months ago. All of the newspaper’s printing equipment and all copies of the 13 April edition were destroyed.

IPI is deeply worried about this latest attack on The Independent, which is a staunch critic of the government. This is the third attack on the newspaper in 2004. A death threat dated 13 January was issued against The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Alagi Yorro Jallow, and Jallow was mistreated by the police on 2 February.

The Independent was also the target of an arson attack on 18 October 2003, but there was only minor damage. Despite promises by the police to investigate the attack, the newspaper has received no information regarding their progress.

IPI urges Your Excellency to authorise an immediate and thorough investigation into these incidents and to do everything in your power to create an environment in the Gambia that allows journalists practice their profession without fear of harassment and intimidation.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director