The government of the Gambia has given an indication of its readiness to fully implement the recently-passed draconian legislation meant to restrict online freedom.
Head of Civil Service and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, served notice of the government’s intentions to crackdown on online freedom at a meeting held on August 8, 2013, with religious leaders and cabinet members at the official seat of government, the State House.
The Minister, consequently warned Gambians, particularly the youth against participating in online campaigns against the government. “If you cannot say anything good about the country, then you should keep quiet,” he exclaimed.
The comments by Sabally comes at a time when various free expression organisations including the MFWA, have condemned the recently-passed law which prescribes stiffer punishment for persons found guilty of publishing “false news” online.
The law imposes a jail term of 15 years and a fine of 3 million dalasis (about US$90,000), or both, on persons who criticize government officials, caricature or instigate violence against the government through the internet.
What is more worrying is that, the religious leaders at the said meeting reportedly indicated their support for the government’s plans to repress online freedom.
Alieu Mboge, a spokesperson of the group is reported to have assured the cabinet that “we would do everything within our power to stop the youth both in and outside the country from any online criticism of the government.”
In a country where human rights advocacy by religious leaders is not tolerated, it is feared that the government may use this latest pronouncements by the religious leaders to legitimize its new policy of massively repressing internet freedom.
We call on the religious leaders to recognize the importance of the internet, which remains the only platform for freedom of expression and participation in public discourse among Gambians, as traditional media outlets are already cowed from airing programmes which are critical of the government.
Recognizing that online activism has ensured justice and given hope to many citizens including the recently-freed Imam Baba Leigh, we urge the religious leaders to rather lead and support on going advocacy processes to improve the ever-deteriorating freedom of expression conditions in The Gambia.