It is three years since our colleague Deyda Hydara was killed by yet unknown assassin(s), and up to now, there appears to be no clue as to who was responsible for that dastardly act and why, and there also appears to be no further investigation into the matter.

As far as we are aware, apart from the “Confidential” report released by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in April 2005 which, instead of give us any clue as to who may have killed him and why, tried instead to blame his “recklessness” as being responsible for his killing.

Indeed, even for such a bulky report, there was complete silence on a number of vital forensic issues, such as what happened to the bullets recovered from his body and whether any efforts were made to try and trace their origin. Since there are available forensic means to trace their origin, the type of gun used, its date of manufacture, its maker and supplier, and even the shop it was purchased from and who the licensed custodian was, one would therefore wonder why the report stated nothing on that matter. Secondly, it was observed that the report also conveniently failed to mention the autopsy report, of which we understand even the Hydara family has never obtained a copy, despite several attempts. It is indeed quite hard to understand why our security agencies have not shown any inclination to investigate this murder with the urgency and seriousness it deserves, as if they are not interested in getting to the truth. They have not only disregarded all the calls by the Gambia Press Union and other media rights groups to invite more experienced investigators to help them, but there is no indication that investigations into the matter are still going on.

Therefore, as the situation is at present, it is hard to see Deyda’s killers being ever brought to book. There is however no doubt that no matter how long it may take for justice to be seen to be done on the issue, it will forever remain fresh in the minds of most Gambians, particularly those of the media fraternity. We will forever regard him as a colleague who was killed because of what he had been writing; until such time that evidence to the contrary is produced.

By D.A. Jawo, Former GPU Chairman