'We need Solo, dead or alive'

The atmosphere in the home of Ousainou Darboe, the leader of main opposition United Democratic Party was tense. News of the death in prison of one of the party’s executive members has spread. Hundreds of sympathisers have already gathered, waiting for their leader’s confirmation and command.

“I’ve got unimpeachable information that these arrestees were taken …to the NIA where they were subjected to the most brutal torture,” Ousainou Darboe reveals.

Solo SANDENG, he says, could not survive it and passed on, on Friday. He was among dozens of opposition protesters who took to the streets on Thursday to protest for electoral reforms. They were since arrested and detained.

“As I talk to you now,” Darboe announces, “I have information that Fatoumatta Jawara, another executive member is between life and death. So is Nokoi Njie, the first vice president of the female wing of my party.

“Today, we will go out to demand for Solo, dead or alive. We will also demand for the release of other detainees. We will not abandon our children. We will go out there and nothing is going to stop us.”

He was proved wrong. At least for now. About two hundred meters from their departure, Kairaba Avenue, the busiest street in The Gambia, descended into chaos. Truckloads of paramilitary and military men emerged from behind to begin the bloody crackdown, beating and rounding up protesters and even perceived ones. They included women, elderly, and young people. Darboe and several of his senior party executive members were forced into in a paramilitary truck and whisked away. Their whereabouts have since been unknown.

After the raids, the lockdown began. Security forces are still combing the streets, looking out for clues of announced protests. The UN, EU, US, and UK, have all called for restrain, release of detainees and inquiry into death allegations. Regional bloc in Ecowas has lately joined in the condemnation, while the AU has perhaps capitulated to the gov’t’s warning against outside ‘interference in domestic politics’.

The president, Yahya Jammeh, returned from Turkey on Sunday afternoon to a ‘rousing welcome’ and he spoke yet again of ‘dogs’ attempting to destabilise the country. No answers on the death of Solo Sansang.