Yesterday marks 20 years and his killers are still not held to account. During the TRRC hearings the killers have narrated how they carried out the gruesome attack on him.
That day, December 16 was a hugely significant and symbolic day as it marked the 13th anniversary of the founding on the newspaper as well as the birthday of his beloved wife, Maria.
Deyda had dedicated his life to exposing corruption and abuse of power when he co-founded The Point with his long time friend Pap Saine. They envisioned a Gambia where democracy and good governance would thrive. Starting in 1991, Deyda and Pap wanted a country where the Government respects the rule of law, protects human rights and manages public resources and affairs in a transparent and accountable manner.
Three years after founding the newspaper, the country experienced a military coup. Within 10 years the so-called ‘soldiers with a difference’ now turned into pseudo civilian regime as the APRC and led by Yaya Jammeh ordered his killing. Yaya Jammeh killed Deyda because his regime was being exposed by Deyda for its tyranny, incompetence, corruption and destruction of the Gambia.
E.F. Small Centre, which is named after another veteran journalist of national repute, hereby celebrates Deyda Hydara for upholding the values, standards and objectives of journalism in defense of the Republic and her citizens.
On this day, we also wish Auntie Maria a happy birthday and wishing her long and healthy life in more freedom and happiness.
We wish to also congratulate The Point on its 33rd anniversary today. We wish them many more years to celebrate. We offer our cooperation and support to The Point newspaper for its continued existence as an indispensable pillar of transparency and accountability. The Point newspaper is a national asset.
To Deyda, we pray you continue to rest in perfect peace. We assure you that EFSCRJ shall continue the work that Edward Francis Small began which Deyda picked up and we shall continue to fight for transparency and accountability for a democratic republic.
Long Live Deyda Hydara! Long Live The Point.
