Stories about Gambia
Fifteen Years After Shootings, No Justice for Gambian Students
Fifteen years after security officers killed over a dozen students, a journalist and red cross volunteer, Gambians are still asking for justice.
The Gambia Sentences Failed Coup Participants to Death, Life in Prison
Gambian soldiers who participated in a foiled coup on 30 December 2014 have been judged by a secret court. Human rights groups have expressed concern over the trials.
Social Media Skewers Gambian President for Using Obama Letter as Propaganda
Did President Obama send a letter to congratulate Gambian citizens on the 50th Independence anniversary or endorse President Yahya Jamme's regime? It depends on who you ask.
Some Gambians Don't Feel Like Celebrating President Jammeh's 20 Years in Power
Gambia is going through a ten-day long celebration marking 20 years since President Yahya Jammeh overthrew a democratically elected government.
Ebola Hasn't Reached the Gambia, and People Are Working to Keep It That Way
The deadliest Ebola outbreak in history has killed nearly 1,900 people so far. In the Gambia, a social media campaign and a specially composed song are trying to raise awareness.
Erykah Badu Still Plans to Perform for Gambian Dictator Yahya Jammeh
US singer Erykah Badu has become the target of criticism over a planned performance for President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia.
Activists Battle Religion, Tradition in Gambia's Female Genital Mutilation Fight
Aja Babung Sidibeh followed cultural tradition and became a female genital mutilation (FGM) practitioner after the death of her parents years ago in her native Janjangbureh in the Central River Region of The Gambia. But she has since “dropped the knife” and taken up the fight against the practice. “What I...
Are Volunteer Programs Empowering — or Exploitative?
Let's ask the volunteers to find out! In many countries, volunteers fulfill important basic services for governments and charities.
The Gambia Quits British Commonwealth, Calling It ‘Extension of Colonialism’
"The Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution," the West African country announced in a statement released this week.
New Internet Law in The Gambia Puts Gag on Government Criticism
Parliamentarians in the tiny West African state of the Gambia have ratified and passed a new law that seeks to tighten laws on Internet freedom. The law seeks to punish “instigating violence against the government or public officials”, and also targets individuals who “caricature or make derogatory statements against officials” or “impersonate public officials”.
Senegal's Democratic Tradition Takes Worrisome Turn
Senegal has a solid tradition of democracy and protection of freedom of expression and human rights. But recent months have seen the West African nation's reputation as a stronghold for democracy in Africa seriously damaged with the evictions of a Chadian journalist and Gambian dissident, both opponents of the governments in their home countries.
‘Thinking Big': Gambian IT Teacher Talks Moving the Classroom Online
Ousman Faal, a young computer instructor and IT professional from The Gambia, has traded the classroom for a blog. Global Voices recently caught up with Faal, the man behind Faal Academy, a website that offers video lectures, presentations, and tips on various computer programs.
Nine Street Kids Die in Senegal Quran School Fire
A raging fire that broke out in Dakar, Senegal in a crowded Islamic school room where students were sleeping killed at least nine children on the night of Sunday 3 March, 2013. The tragedy has highlighted just how tough living conditions for Quran school students, known as talibs, can be.
Journalists Under Pressure in the Gambia Turn to Blogs
The hostile media landscape in the Gambia, marred by aggressive laws and regulatory measures that have almost crippled mainstream outlets, has some journalists in the country turning to blogs to report the news. Here is a guide to some of the most active and popular blogs.
Musicians Aim Fighting Words at the Gambia's Hardliner President
A popular music video featuring a group of artists taking aim at the president of the Gambia's tightening grip on the West African country has gone viral among Gambians home and abroad.
US Congressman Vows to Help Gambians
Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison and his Staff had a fruitful discussion on Gambia’s ailing democracy with the civil society group based in Minneapolis last Monday. Congressman Keith Ellison in the United States House of Representative has promised to help Gambians in their fight for democracy.
Every Weekend is a Long Weekend in Gambia
“Unlike in the rest of the world, employees in a tiny nation on Africa’s west coast can now enjoy an extended weekend of three days, beginning Friday. The reform introduced in the public-sector by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh came into force on February 1 ignoring Opposition protest” Blog SeyiSanchez reports.
Gambia: Dramatic Increase in Executions
Nine prisoners were put to death on one day in August 2012. The sudden increase in capital punishment over the last few months as well as confusing declarations from President Jammeh have worried citizens of Gambia as well as those in neighbouring countries. The death penalty was abolished in 1993 but reinstated by Yahya Jammeh one year after the coup of July 1994.
Africa: African Women on Fire
Rumbidzai Dube explains why 2012 is the year for African women: “2012 has been a progressive year for African women in global politics. In April Joyce Banda of Malawi became the first ever female president of Malawi and the Second Female president in Africa […]Just yesterday, Dr Nkosana Dhlamini-Zuma became...
Gambia: The Glove Project Film
Matt blogs about a short film showing the work done by the Glove project in The Gambia: “The charity works in a relatively unknown area of The Gambia, north of the river, and seeks to work in partnership with rural village communities, improving health, education and sustainable enterprises.”
Chinese Africans in Hong Kong
The Republic of the Gambia has no consulate in Hong Kong. But the city has a population of Mainland Chinese Gambian passport holders seeking residency in HK via the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES). More from David Webb.
