The
Board of Directors of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has praised
the ECOWAS for its commendable efforts in ensuring the peaceful transfer of
power from ex-President Yahya Jammeh to President Adama Barrow.
In
a 10-point resolution issued at the end of a two-day meeting of the board in
the Senegalese capital, Dakar, the board indicated that ECOWAS’ action on the
Gambian situation was one that will help strengthen and consolidate democratic
governance across West Africa.
It
congratulated the new Gambian President, and urged him to undertake urgent
reforms that will help ensure good governance, and respect for the fundamental
rights and freedoms of the Gambian people.
“As
a commitment to the human rights reform agenda, the board further called on President
Barrow to take urgent steps to unconditionally release all political prisoners
and detainees under the Yahya Jammeh regime.
“A
similar gesture should be extended to journalists who were arbitrary detained
or imprisoned under the regime,” the resolution stated.
Below
is the full text of the 10-point resolution issued by the board:
Board
Resolution
By
the Board of Directors of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) at its
Meeting held in Dakar, Senegal, on January 25 & 26, 2017.
On
January 25 and 26, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Media Foundation for
West Africa (MFWA) Chaired by Mr Edetaen Ojo, met in Dakar, Senegal, to discuss
and approve the organisation’s work plan and budget for 2017.
On
the second day of the meeting, the Board held discussions with Gambian media
experts, editors and the leadership of The Gambia Press Union (GPU) on the
recent political challenges in The Gambia. The meeting discussed the prevailing
context of press freedom and freedom of expression in The Gambia as well as the
challenges and prospects for improving the media and freedom of expression
landscape in the post-Jemmeh era.
At
the end of the two-day meeting, the Board unanimously adopted and issued this
10-point resolution:
1. The Board highly commends the ECOWAS
for its resilient efforts that ensured the resolution of the Gambian political
crisis and the peaceful transfer of power to H.E. President Adama Barrow who
won the December 1, 2016 presidential elections. This, the Board notes, is a commendable
effort on the part of ECOWAS that will ensure democratic development and
consolidation not only in the Gambia but the West Africa region as a whole.
2. It congratulates President Barrow on
his victory and ascension to the high office. It also calls on the President to
urgently undertake the necessary reforms to ensure good governance, and respect
for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Gambian people.
3. The Board further commends the people
of The Gambia for their resort to peace and dialogue during the transitional
process and for remaining resolute in their quest for democratic consolidation
and respect for human rights.
4.
Mindful for the very repressive press situation and freedom of expression
conditions in The Gambia under the 22-year rule of President Yahya Jammeh, the
Board calls on President Barrow to undertake urgent reforms that will promote,
protect and defend the rights of the Gambian people to freely express
themselves and to guarantee press freedom in the country. Such reforms will
include the repeal of laws that criminalise speech offences and the passage of
a Right to Information (RTI) legislation.
5.
As a commitment to the human rights reform agenda, the Board further calls on
President Barrow to take urgent steps to unconditionally release all political
prisoners and detainees under the Yahya Jammeh regime. A similar gesture should
be extended to journalists who were arbitrarily detained or imprisoned under
the Jammeh regime.
6.
In view of the crucial role of the media in the democratic transition and
consolidation processes, the Board urges the new administration to support
media sector reform measures such as building the capacity of journalists,
improving journalism training institutions, strengthening and reforming the Gambian
Television and Radio Service (GRTS), and other initiations that will ensure a
vibrant, pluralistic and professional media landscape that will support
participatory and accountable governance.
7.
On the regional front, the Board reiterates its deep concern about the slow
pace of digital migration among countries in West Africa, including the low
level of public awareness of the digital migration process and its potentially
massive implications for access to information and the right to freedom of
expression.
8.
Mindful of the fact that digital migration will require policy, legal and
regulatory reforms, the Board calls on governments to adopt a multi-stakeholder
and consultative approach in all policy, legal and regulatory reform processes
associated with digital migration so that all critical stakeholders can be
effectively engaged.
9.
The Board welcomes the generally noticeable decline in the most egregious forms
of attacks on journalists and the media in the region. The Board, therefore,
commends the management and staff of the MFWA and its national partners in the
region for their significant contributions towards achieving the current
generally improved conditions of freedom of expression in West Africa. It urges
the secretariat to continue to work closely with it partners to further improve
the situation and strengthen the media’s capacity to support transparent and
accountable governance in the region.
10.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the MFWA, which is this year - 2017,
the Board expresses gratitude to the organisation’s past and present funders
and partners for their commitment and support for the organisation and its work
over the years. To formally mark the occasion, the Board announces a two-day
anniversary celebration in the form of a regional conference and awards to be
held on October 27 and 28, 2017 in Accra.
Adopted
in Dakar, Senegal, this Thursday, the 26th day of January, 2017
