By Kemo Cham
A union representing Sierra Leoneans in The Gambia has called on its members to remain calm and be law abiding whilst it pursues a diplomatic means of resolving the death of their compatriot.
Usman Dabor died in controversial circumstances last month while under investigation by the police in Serekunda, Gambia’s largest city. Dabor was accused of buying stolen items, which he sold in his shop.
While the police say he died of natural cause, Dabor’s family and friends believe he died due to complications resulting from beatings and torture by the police.
He had been detained at the Bijilo Police Station in Senegambia and was later released on bail and ordered to be reporting to the police station. According to sources, Dabor collapsed in one of his visits to the station and subsequently died.
There were riots in and around the Senegambia area of Serekunda following his death as protesters demanded explanation from the police. The riots led to the torching of the residence of the head of the police Anti-Crime Unit, Gorgi Mboob.
The police, which denied killing Dabor, said he was asthmatic as “shown by medical papers tendered by his family which prompted his bail.”
The family of the deceased and his compatriots are unhappy that the investigation to ascertain the true cause of the death of the 36-year-old businessman is taking too long.
The Sierra Leone Nationals Union (SLeNU) says it is working with the Sierra Leone High Commission to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.
“The leadership of SLeNU and the Sierra Leone High Commissioner understand the concerns of the family and the Sierra Leone community in The Gambia. However, we want our brothers and sisters know that violence cannot solve this problem but diplomacy will and that is the path the community leaders are working,” the statement, signed by the Union’s Secretary General, Maada Ansumana Kamara and President, Abdul Wahid Thomas, reads in part.
High Commissioner Lulu Sheriff, SLeNU President Thomas and some of his union members recently met with the family of Mr Dabor as part of efforts to calm them down and reassure of action by the authorities.
The remains of Dabor are still in the mortuary at the Kanifeng hospital in Serekunda, pending a postmortem.
The family is eager to have his remains but SLeNU has urged them to refrain from visiting the morgue while the body is in the custody of the police.
The High Commission had demanded the autopsy be carried out before burial.
According to SLeNU, Ms Sheriff is scheduled to meet with the Gambian Justice Minister this Wednesday over the issue.
“The family were pleased with the efforts though they are anxious that this saga comes to end and Usman be buried,” the statement adds.
The late Dabor was married to a Gambian wife.
There are thousands of Sierra Leoneans living in The Gambia. Many of them are among some of the country’s best teachers. Others went there during the civil war in Sierra Leone in the 1990s and never came back, while others await resettlement in a Western country.
© 2019 Politico Online
