UDP branch chairman dies in hospital

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a statement, saying one of its senior members, arrested together with others in a May 9 protest this year, is dead.

Solo Krummah, who was chairman of UDP in Darsilameh Village and vice chairman of Sandu constituency, was in state custody until his death in hospital on Saturday, following an operation he had at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul.

Krummah, who was in his 50s, was among the May 9 protesters charged with unlawful assembly. He was remanded, and later hospitalised on August 8.

The following is the full statement of the UDP on the death of Solo Krummah:

UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY (UDP) PRESS RELEASE ON THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF SOLO KRUMMAH DETAINED BY THE GAMBIA GOVERNMENT

The United Democratic Party (UDP)  wishes to inform the general public and the international community that another UDP detainee, Solo Krummah, arrested since on the 9th May 2016 and currently under trial, has died in state custody at the Edward Francis’s Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul .

Solo was admitted on the 8th August 2016 and purportedly underwent an operation on Friday 19th August 2016 and died on the 20th August 2016 at about 7.15 am after the operation. The party and family members were not been informed of the death.

The circumstances surrounding his medical condition leading to his admission and operation have not reported to the party or his family members. The party and the family did not consent to the operation.

During the period of the admission at the hospital, he was denied visits as well as food from both the family and party members. There were security officials around him throughout, three or two armed soldiers and two prison guards.

The lawyers have been consulted and will act accordingly to get to the cause of the death of Solo and for the body to be given to the party and family for a fitting burial at his birth place Sandu Darsilameh, Upper River Region.

Solo was the UDP deputy chairman Sandu Constituency and Chairman Darsilameh village. He is survived by three wives, nine daughters, six sons and father aged over ninety-years.

Meanwhile UDP is very much worried and concerned about the fate of the rest of the UDP convicts and detainees. Some of whom are in critical health conditions and need urgent attention. 

Lamin Marong is yet to have eye operation after three appointments with the doctor have failed, who had advised that any further delay of the operation will lead to total blindness. Lamin Dibba, who was reportedly hit on the eye side, currently has a serious sight problem. Kemeseng Jammeh’s health condition requires regular medical attention. Femi Peters and Ousainou Darboe are diabetes and asthmatic patients respectively. Three women, Fatoumata Jawara, Nogoie Njie and Fatou Camara seriously require urgent proper medical attention.

We therefore strongly call on the Government of The Gambia to immediately and unconditionally release our leader and his party colleagues. We are calling on ECOWAS, AU, EU and UN to act accordingly to redress this situation in The Gambia before it is too late.

Mariam B. Secka

Deputy Party Leader/Deputy Secretary General

20th August 2016