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Gambia: The Independent - Closed For a Year

Last month marked a year since the closure of The Independent Newspaper, a private bi-weekly.

Madi Ceesay, the Paper's Managing Editor at the time of its closure and president of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) told Foroyaa that as at now he does not know who is exactly responsible for the closure of the paper.

"Since we (staff of The Independent) were rounded up on the 27th of March, 2006 the police occupied the place. I cannot have audience with any authority in the police," Ceesay said.

After spending three weeks in custody, he said, he was told by officials of the police, the military and the National Intelligence Agency that he is allowed to resume work, but that he should serve as a partner in development with the government.

But unfortunately he said it is never the case. After that release, "I attempted to open the newspaper, but it was shut down by the police," he claimed.

Mr. Ceesay further said that he had attempted to meet the then Inspector General of Police on several occasions, but his attempts bore no fruit.

He also said that the closure of the media organisations in the country is not painting a good image of the country as freedom of expression and the press is a prerequisite for any healthy democracy.

However, the police spokesman Superintendent Famara Jobarteh told Foroyaa on Thursday that he knew nothing about the closure of The Independent.