West African journalists protest murder of Gambian colleague

Journalists in Gambia, Senegal and Mali collectively mourned the death of their colleague Deyda Hydara, co-founder and owner of the tri-weekly newspaper “The Point” in Gambia. Hydara was murdered in the capital of Banjul on the evening of 16 December. In a display of solidarity, over three hundred journalists marched through the streets of Banjul on 22 December to protest the murder and push for an immediate investigation into the case.

The demonstration coincided with a news blackout throughout the country.

In Dakar, Senegal, journalists marched to the Gambian High Commission, where they played a song composed by reggae star Alpha Blondy when Nobert Zongo, a journalist from Burkina Faso was killed in 1998. A petition was then presented to the High Commissioner, Mr. Ebou Taal, for the Gambian Head of State, President Yahya Jammeh.

In Mali, journalists also condemned the killing.

Hydara was fatally shot by two unidentified gunmen on his way from a reception he had organised to celebrate the 13th anniversary of his newspaper. Two female employees of the paper who were travelling with Hydara in his car were also injured in the attack. They are still hospitalised and have been moved to Senegal due to the seriousness of their injuries.