THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON CASE OF FATOU JAW MANNEH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000180

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KMCA GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON CASE OF FATOU JAW MANNEH

REF: A. BANJUL 173


B. BANJUL 167

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

UPDATE ON CASE
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1. (C) Reftels report the March 28 detention and subsequent
trial of U.S.-based Gambian journalist and opposition
supporter Fatou Jaw Manneh. She is currently free on bail
after pleading not guilty, and her trial resumes April 11;
emboffs plan to attend the session. There is the possibility
that the presiding magistrate will throw out the case,
accepting the defense attorney's argument that Gambian courts
have no jurdisdiction in the matter as Manneh's allegedly
seditious remarks in a June 2004 press interview were made in
the U.S.

AMBASSADOR FLAGS CASE
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2. (C) After initial raising the case with senior National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) official (ref a),Ambassador
continues to flag our concern in contacts with senior GOTG
officials. In April 8-10 discussions with the Attorney
General, Trade Minister, and Foreign Affairs Permanent
Secretary, Ambassador stressed that Washington was following

SIPDIS
the case closely and that it was imperative that Manneh's
rights be fully respected and that she be promptly released
in the absence of any credible evidence of wrongdoing. He
also emphasized that the outcome of this case would be among
developments figuring in USG assessments of the GOTG's human
rights performance and in consideration of the country's
future eligibility for AGOA and MCA. The GOTG officials took
the Ambassador's presentation on board, indicating that they
grasped the gravity of the matter.

COMMENT
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3. (C) We propose holding off on a public statement on the
case, at least for the time being. The reason: to go public
at this point might well prove counterproductive, in terms of
generating a defiant, resentful reaction by the volatile
Gambian President and leaving him determined to see Manneh
punished. We note that, at an April 3 GOTG cabinet meeting,
Jammeh complained about the slow pace of judicial proceedings
in The Gambia and warned officials to speed up trials or risk
dismissal. It remains to be seen what impact Jammeh's
warning may have on the presiding magistrate in Manneh's
trial. In any event, we will continue to raise the case with
GOTG contacts and will report on the outcome of the April 11
trial session. END COMMENT
STAFFORD