Gambian journalists have called on the state to bring the ‘killers’ of Deyda Hydara to justice, as they marked the 16th anniversary of his assassination. 

The Gambia Press Union President, Sheriff Bojang Jnr, in a statement said: “As an institution, we have submitted ourselves to the ongoing transitional justice process and have cooperated with the current government in pursuit of justice for crimes against journalist.

“Now that compensation has been fully paid by The Gambia government to the family of Hydara, as dictated by the Ecowas Court of Justice, we are keenly monitoring the TRRC and are hoping that the recommendation it will make will be in the interest of justice.”

Mr Bojang added: “As a country and people, we all owe it to Deyda Hydara to bring his killers to book as soon as possible. He dedicated his life and sacrifices that much for The Gambia”

Mr Hydara, editor and co-founder of The Point Newspaper, was murdered in December 2004 on his way home from work by state agents. 

Malick Jatta, a member of paramilitary hit squad, The Jungulars, linked to former president Yahya Jammeh, had admitted his role in the extrajudicial killing of Mr Hydara.  

Jatta last year told the country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission that the order to kill Deyda Hydara came directly from former president Yahya Jammeh.

He said the hit squad was commanded by the late Tumbul Tamba and comprised of several soldiers who posed as taxi drivers as they laid ambushed for the veteran journalist.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba