A newborn baby has died after undergoing suspected female genital mutilation.

The little girl, just three weeks old, was rushed from Boboum Kunda to three different hospitals but doctors could not save her.

She was pronounced dead at Bansang Hospital.

Her devastated mother, Adama Sowe, and grandmother, Metta Wamch, have been arrested and are now in police custody as investigations continue.

The baby’s body remains in the mortuary and is expected to be sent to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in the capital, Banjul, for a post-mortem.

Police have condemned the practice and called on Gambians to unite against harmful traditions that continue to cost children their lives.

By Adama Makasuba