Gambia Press Union Raises Alarm Over Rising Threats to Press Freedom at ACHPR Session

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has raised serious concerns over increasing threats to press freedom, media independence, and freedom of expression in The Gambia despite the country’s improved global press freedom ranking.

Presenting a statement at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, GPU Secretary General Modou S. Joof warned that journalists in The Gambia continue to face harassment, arrests, assaults, intimidation, and restrictive laws that threaten democratic gains achieved since the end of former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule.

The Union acknowledged The Gambia’s recent rise to 46th globally and 8th in Africa on the 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index but cautioned that the ranking masks persistent structural challenges affecting the media landscape.

“The absence of political will to protect journalists, incomplete media law reforms, and the creation of new restrictive laws continue to undermine press freedom and encourage self-censorship,” the GPU stated.

The Union highlighted several recent incidents involving journalists, including the arrest of Sheriff Conteh and Alieu Ceesay during a protest in Banjul over the sale of former President Jammeh’s assets. GPU also condemned the assault of photojournalist Matarr Jassey by police officers while covering the same protest.

The statement further cited the ongoing defamation lawsuit against Kebba Ansu Manneh by Environment Minister Rohey John Manjang, who is reportedly seeking damages exceeding $725,000 over allegations linked to illegal logging.

GPU also expressed concern over the assault and arrest of Momodou Justice Darboe at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court in March 2026 after he photographed accused persons outside a courtroom. According to the Union, Darboe was detained for six hours and charged before the case was later adjourned indefinitely.

Another incident involved Omar P. Jallow, who was reportedly interrogated by intelligence officers attached to the Office of the Vice President and later excluded from official coverage assignments after inviting an opposition figure to a community fundraising event.

The GPU also criticised public institutions for what it described as growing intolerance toward critical reporting, referencing attempts by the Central Bank to block Yusef Taylor from covering a Monetary Policy Committee briefing and the exclusion of Voice Out Digital from a National Water and Electricity Company event.

On media reforms, the GPU warned that while some repressive laws had been repealed, new legislation such as the Cybercrime Bill 2023 and the Communications Bill 2025 contain provisions that could criminalize online speech, expand surveillance powers, and impose harsh penalties on journalists and media houses.

The Union also criticized delays in implementing the country’s Access to Information Act 2021, noting that public institutions have yet to designate information officers or establish implementation plans five years after the law’s adoption.

The GPU called on the ACHPR to urge the Gambian government to end impunity for attacks on journalists, fully implement recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission on media reforms, review restrictive media laws, and guarantee the safety and independence of journalists.

The statement was delivered on 13 May 2026 during the ongoing ACHPR session in Banjul.