By Murtala Mohamed Kamara, AfricaNews
FREETOWN, 20 March 2009: Amnesty International (AI), has called on the Gambian government to immediately put an end to the recent abduction of some one thousand Gambian nationals accused of witchcraft. Some one thousand Gambians have been arrested by authorities in that country for witchcraft.
It was reported following the death of the Gambia President’s aunt that some witch doctors who are believed to possess supernatural powers were invited by the orders of the Gambian President from neighboring Guinea to look into the death surrounding his late aunt as according to the president, it is believed that his aunt died an ‘’unnatural’’ death due to witchcraft.
After the arrival of the ‘’witch doctors’’ at Foni Kansala district an area closer to the President’s farm land over a thousand people were kidnapped, placed under gun point and forced to drink hallucinogenic concoctions. It was also reported that during the operation security forces threatening that “anyone who tries to escape will be buried 6ft. under.’’ After hearing the news many others flew for safety to neighboring Senegal.
According to report two people have so far died from kidney failure whiles many others are severely suffering from Diarrhea and other related diseases all due to that in-take of concoction.
AI said in its press release that they calling on the Gambian government to put an immediate stop to the campaign, investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
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