There is outrage in The Gambia over the attack on a journalist by supporters of ruling coalition party, the United Democratic Party (UDP).
The journalist, Kebba Jeffang was reported by local media to have been attacked for asking a question about the unity of the coalition.
The UDP and two other parties formed the coalition that won last year’s elections leading to the ousting of longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh.
Jeffang while asking a question at the press conference of the coalition party highlighted reports of tensions between leaders of the coalition, a question that did not go down well with supporters of the party.
The journalist was verbally attacked and subsequently physically manhandled before he was eventually rescued.
Leader of the coalition, a veteran politician and now Foreign Affairs minister, Ousainou Darboe intervened to restrain the supporters.
The Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty was reported by local media to have condemned the assault on the journalist.
“Attacking anyone or a journalist on account of his or her legitimate views or inquiries duly expressed either privately or publicly is totally outrageous, reprehensible and utterly unacceptable”.
President Adama Barrow’s government has promised to ensure that the rights of the media are respected and protected.
Source: Africafeeds.com
