THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON PRIVATE NEWSPAPER'S STATUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANJUL 000203

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON PRIVATE NEWSPAPER'S STATUS

REF: A. BANJUL 193

B. BANJUL 184

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Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) In April 3 meeting with Information Minister
MacDouall-Gaye, Ambassador stressed our concern over the
GOTG's closure of "The Independent" and detention of its
personnel; the Minister professed ignorance as to the reasons
for authorities' action and as to prospects for the paper's
resuming publication. In subsequent discussion April 3,
editor-in-chief of "The Point," Pap Saine, attributed the
GOTG's action to March 27 articles in "The Independent"
critical of President Jammeh and confided that it had been
unwise to provoke him in the aftermath of the failed coup
attempt. Saine thought that "The Independent" would likely
remain closed for some time. Ambassador will register our
concern over the action against "The Independent" in meetings
he has requested with Jammeh, the Interior Minister, and
other officials. END SUMMARY.

APPROACH TO INFORMATION MINISTER
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2. (C) Ambassador met April 3 with Information Minister Neneh
MacDouall-Gaye, expressing concern over authorities' March 28
closure of the independent daily, "The Independent," and the
ongoing detention of its General Manager and Editor-in-Chief
(ref a). Ambassador urged that the GOTG promptly allow the
journal to resume publication and either release its detained
staff or make clear the evidence of wrongdoing behind their
detention.


3. (C) Minister MacDouall-Gaye professed ignorance of the
reasons for authorities' action against "The Independent,"
saying she could not confirm reports that the move stemmed
from articles in the paper's March 27 edition that were
critical of President Jammeh. She added, though, that it was
"important" for the media to avoid "irresponsible criticism"
of the GOTG "in this sensitive period" following the failed
coup attempt March 21. The Minister stated that she was
unable to say when the paper might be allowed to resume
publication.

A PROMINENT JOURNALIST'S ASSESSMENT
--------------


4. (C) In subsequent conversation with Ambassador April 3,
Pap Saine, the Editor-in-Chief of another privately owned
journal, "The Point," said he was certain that the GOTG's
action against "The Independent" was due to its March 27
articles replaying opposition allegations of Jammeh's
excessive wealth and condemning coups -- while weaving in
criticism of Jammeh's policies since his own successful coup
in 1994. Saine asserted that, in the aftermath of the failed
coup attempt, Jammeh was in no mood to tolerate such
criticism and that the management of "The Independent" had
been unwise to provoke him. Saine, who accused "The
Independent" of an anti-Jammeh/pro-opposition bias, stated
that it had long been the President's most vociferous critic
among the privately owned journals and that authorities'
action had not come as a surprise to him.


5. (C) In response to Ambassador's query, Saine gave a gloomy
assessment of prospects for "The Independent," saying its
period of closure was likely to be prolonged. Asked about
the status of the detainees, Saine stated that they remained
in custody and had yet to be charged with specific offenses.

COMMENT
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6. (C) As previously reported (ref b),Saine is no supporter
of the Jammeh Government, but his paper, "The Point," is
noticeably more balanced than "The Independent" in its
treatment of the GOTG. In recent days, "The Point" has made
clear its opposition to the failed coup attempt -- while
refraining, unlike "The Independent," from taking a swipe at
Jammeh over his 1994 takeover. At the same time, "The
Point," in its commentaries, has appealed to the GOTG for the
prompt investigaQon of detainees and release of those
cleared of involvement in the failed coup plot; it has also
registered concern over the actions against "The Independent."


7. (C) Saine's gloomy assessment of prospects for "The
Independent" and its detained personnel was troubling, as was
the Information Minister's profession of ignorance about the
episode; as the GOTG's point-person for dealing with the
press, she likely knows more than she indicated. In any

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event, Ambassador plans to stress our concern in meetings he
has requested with Jammeh, Interior Minister, and other
officials. END COMMENT.
STAFFORD