Gambian online activist mobilize to condemn abuses

Internet activists are mobilizing on social media to condemn abuses by the Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.

The civil society group “Africtivistes” is a League of African Cyber-Activists for Democracy using social networks to denounce abuses suffered by opponents of the Gambian government .

In April and May this year, the activists led demonstrations to demand electoral reforms in the Gambia ruled by Jammeh with an iron fist.

The demonstrators also demanded social reforms and the release of political prisoners.

#Jammehfact was created as a rallying point for the online activists to support the protests.

amnesty DebbohPulloh FreedomGambia15 ChangeGambia. Thinking of all the victims of torture in #Gambia. #JammehFact

— Isatou B Jallow (@ibjis) June 26, 2016

#Jammexit ? I like that freejobe39 There is a nice ring to it too:) #JammehFact #humanrights #Gambia #impunity

— Banka Manneh (Bankamanneh) June 25, 2016

The hashtag has started conversations on abuses by the Yahya Jameh-led government since 1996.

Jammeh has been the president of the Gambia since he took power in a 1994 coup.

He was elected President in 1996 and has since been re-elected in 2001, 2006, and 2011.

Agencies