Madi Jobarteh, a human rights advocate and Westminster Foundation national representative, was detained by police on Monday morning. His whereabouts were still unclear at the time of publication since his family couldn’t reach him.
The human rights activist was detained and arrested, according to deputy police spokesman Modou Musa Sissawo, who stated: “Yes, Madi Jobarteh is now in police custody in relation to his posts/comments he (Madi Jobarteh) made on social media. Information about this would be distributed appropriately, he suggested. Sissawo was unable to provide any more information on Mr. Jobarteh’s present whereabouts or the remarks that resulted in his arrest by the police.
It may be remembered that on Friday, October 6, 2023, Gambia Police Force (GPF) personnel in plain clothing went to Madi Jobarteh’s house with the intent to arrest him. Due to his poor condition, the cops departed without making an arrest.
Following the police’s departure, the representative of the Westminster Foundation posted the following on his Facebook page on Friday: “I got a call from the police headquarters indicating they were inviting me to their office. I informed them that I am ill and cannot go. They then promised to visit my home.
“Four cops arrived in an unidentified pickup vehicle with tinted windows. They claimed to be representatives of the State Intelligence Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit. My “some of my Facebook posts” were the subject of their want to interrogate me, they said. I questioned which specific postings, but they never mentioned any. I informed them that, barring an arrest, I am ill and would not be attending the event.
“After speaking with their bosses, they said that they had been advised to leave me alone since I was ill. However, they advised that I go to their office or the nearby police station when I feel better.
“I informed them that because I am not a criminal, fugitive, or somebody wanted for arrest, I would not turn myself in to any police station and will not report myself to any police station. When they needed me, I instructed them to call me. But remember that I have the freedom to accept or decline an offer. After that, they went. So, we’ll wait and see what happens next.
“Don’t worry; I’m neither intimidated nor terrified. I haven’t broken any Gambia-related laws. On Facebook and elsewhere, all of my postings and comments adhere to the Constitution’s restrictions.
“In my writings, talks, and behaviour, I have always promoted and adhered to the ideals and norms of decency, peace, non-violence, and tolerance. Therefore, there is simply no justification for the police to have phoned me. There is no need for an invitation since people have the freedom to react if they disagree with my opinions, he said.
On Sunday, Madi Jobarteh also posted the following: “Police cars have been lingering about my neighborhood since this morning, and cops have been wandering up and down the street near my home. They are specifically waiting for me since my family and neighbors have located the identical car that brought police to my home on Friday. I saw an unanswered call from ASP Sulayman Gaye, who had guided police to my home on Friday, earlier in the day. I am neither a criminal or a wanted person, so please stop harassing and intimidating me.
Another event is the release of Alhagie Bora Sisawo, a Kerr Fatou presenter who was arrested by the police and freed on police bail.
“Bora Sisawo, who was detained by the police due to social media posts and comments, was granted bail on October 9, 2023,” stated Modou Musa Sissawo, deputy police spokeswoman. As a condition of his release on bail, Bora must start reporting to the Kairaba Police Station on Wednesday.