Gambian soldier names Jammeh in reporter’s 2004 murder

An army officer in the Gambia has accused former president Yahya Jammeh of ordering the 2004 murder of journalist Deyda Hydara admitting he was involved in the killing.

Lieutenant Malick Jatta revealed this at a public hearing before a truth commission on Monday

Hydara was killed by unidentified gunmen in his car on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul, in December 2004.

Jatta said he and two other military officers ambushed Hydara and drove off without being told their victim’s name.

He told the commission that his commanding officer later gave him an envelope containing dollars, which he said was a sign of appreciation from the big man, a reference to Jammeh.

Jammeh had said in an interview on Gambian state television that the government had no stake in the killing, hinting that Hydara’s love life had led to the murder.

Hydara was editor and co-founder of the independent, the point daily and a correspondent for AFP news agency and journalists without borders (RSF).