THE GAMBIA: FOLLOW-UP DEMARCHE ON ICRC REPORT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000615

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: FOLLOW-UP DEMARCHE ON ICRC REPORT ON
PRISONS

REF: A. BANJUL 564


B. STATE 147570

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


1. (C) Ref a reports Ambassador's demarche, per ref b
instruction, to the Interior Minister to urge granting of
access to detainees by the ICRC. Ambassador used October 3
meeting with the senior presidential advisor, Secretary
General Mambury Njie (other topics covered septel) to make
follow-up demarche. Njie, in response, said he had thought
that the ICRC continued to enjoy access to prisons; when
Ambassador reiterated that our information indicated
otherwise, Njie undertook to look into the matter.


2. (C) COMMENT: We will continue to monitor the issue of
detainee access for the ICRC and others; it is an issue that
became even more compelling following authorities' roundup of
50 or so suspects -- some subsequently released -- in
connection with the failed coup plot in March. Our requested
meeting with the Vice President, per ref a, has yet to
materialize, but, in any event, we regard the Secretary
General as more influential within senior GOTG ranks. END
COMMENT.
STAFFORD