The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called on witness to break the silence on the case of journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh who has been missing since July 7, 2006 marking two years today. 

"There are some people in The Gambia within government forces and even civilians who know the whereabouts of Ebrima," said Gabriel Baglo, the Director of the IFJ Africa office. "We call on these people to break the silence and to ease their conscience and put Ebrima's family in the right perspective as they have been suffering for two years now."

Manneh, a reporter with the pro-government Daily Observer newspaper has been missing since 7 July 2006 after his arrest by government "plainclothes officers" reportedly from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The agency and the government however, have repeatedly denied holding him.

In January 2007 local sources and newspapers revealed that the journalist was moved from the NIA headquarter to the Mile Two Central Prison to police stations in Kartong (South of Banjul), Sibanor (in the West), Kuntaur (Central Gambia) and then to Fatoto (in the East).

Manneh was reportedly seen the last time on 26 July, 2007 receiving treatment at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital of Banjul.

On 5 June, 2008 the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) "declared the arrest and detention of Chief Ebrima Manneh illegal and ordered the Gambian authorities to immediately release him. The court also ordered the Gambian government to pay 100,000 US Dollars in damages to Manneh.

The suit was filed before the regional court on behalf of Chief Manneh by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

Fore more information contact the IFJ at +221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide