WHO  KILLED  DEYDA  HYDARA

BIOGRAPHY OF DEYDA HYDARA

Deyda Hydara (December 21, 1948 – December 16, 2004) was one of The Gambia’s most courageous journalists and a towering figure in West African media history. He is best remembered as the co-founder and managing editor of The Point newspaper, as well as a relentless advocate for press freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Hydara’s life and tragic assassination symbolize both the power of independent journalism and the grave dangers faced by those who challenge authoritarian rule.

Born in Bathurst (now Banjul), The Gambia, Deyda Hydara grew up during the final years of British colonial rule. From an early age, he demonstrated a strong interest in writing, debate, and public affairs. He pursued journalism professionally and trained with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), working for the BBC World Service in Africa. His years with the BBC exposed him to high standards of journalistic ethics, objectivity, and public accountability—values that would later define his career back home. After returning to The Gambia, Hydara worked with the government-owned Gambia Radio & Television Services (GRTS), where he gained recognition for his professionalism and dedication. However, the political landscape of The Gambia changed dramatically after the 1994 military coup led by Yahya Jammeh. The new regime quickly imposed restrictions on civil liberties, particularly freedom of expression and the press. In response to this increasingly repressive environment, Deyda Hydara co-founded The Point newspaper in 1991 (before the coup), alongside Pap Saine and Baboucarr Gaye. Under Hydara’s editorial leadership, The Point became one of the country’s most respected independent newspapers. It was known for balanced reporting, strong editorials, and a principled refusal to submit to political intimidation. Hydara emerged as one of the most vocal critics of laws that restricted press freedom. He strongly opposed the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act and the Newspaper (Amendment) Act, which imposed harsh penalties on journalists, including prison sentences and heavy fines for “sedition” and “false publication.” As president of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Hydara played a central role in organizing resistance against these laws, both locally and internationally. Despite increasing threats, harassment, and warnings from state authorities, Hydara refused to go into exile or soften his stance. He famously declared that journalism was not a crime and that surrendering press freedom would mean surrendering the future of democracy in The Gambia. His commitment made him a symbol of journalistic integrity—but also a target.

On the night of December 16, 2004, Deyda Hydara was assassinated in a drive-by shooting while driving home from work in Banjul. The murder occurred just days after he publicly criticized new media laws passed by the Gambian parliament. He was shot in the head and died instantly. The killing sent shockwaves across The Gambia, Africa, and the international community. For years, the Gambian government denied involvement and failed to conduct a credible investigation. No one was arrested or prosecuted at the time, deepening fears that the murder was politically motivated and state-sanctioned. International organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders, repeatedly called for an independent investigation. It was not until after the fall of Yahya Jammeh’s regime in 2017 that new light was shed on the case. During hearings of The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), former members of the feared “Junglers” death squad testified that they carried out Hydara’s assassination on Jammeh’s direct orders. These revelations confirmed long-held suspicions and validated years of advocacy by Hydara’s family and press freedom organizations. Deyda Hydara was not only a journalist but also a husband, father, mentor, and moral compass for many young reporters. His legacy lives on through The Point, through the annual Deyda Hydara Memorial Lecture, and through ongoing struggles for media freedom in The Gambia and beyond.

Today, Hydara is remembered as a martyr for press freedom—a man who chose truth over fear and paid the ultimate price. His life and death remain a powerful reminder that freedom of expression is essential to democracy, and that silencing journalists is one of the clearest signs of tyranny.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deyda_Hydara