Deyda Hydara – 8th anniversary solidarity message colleagues

It is eight years today since unknown assailants gunned down our mentor and colleague – Deyda Hydara. While we do not have any evidence to link his killing to the government or any of its agents, as a bona fide Gambian citizen, we at least expected that Deyda’s killing would have been thoroughly investigated with a view to bringing his killers to justice.

Therefore, it is quite disappointing that the authorities to investigate the case with a view to bringing the culprits to justice are doing hardly anything. In fact, if some of the comments emanating from those in authority are anything to go by, there is hardly any sincerity on their part to find the underlying cause of this heinous crime.

For instance, during his interview with the BBC, after the presidential elections in November 2011, President Jammeh was quoted as comparing Deyda’s brutal murder to the deaths of other Gambians in road accidents, thus further dashing any hopes that his regime had any genuine intentions of investigating the case.

I wish to take this opportunity to commend the GPU and all those concerned with justice and fairness for continuing to keep the issue on the public agenda. Let us hope and pray that one fine day, there would be a change of heart by the authorities, and they would do whatever it takes to mount a thorough investigation that will culminate in apprehending and punishing Deyda’s killers, regardless of who they are.

Thank you.