Gambian reporter held for second time in a month

BANJUL, Gambia (AFP) - A Gambian journalist and correspondent for the Associated Press has been detained for the second time in a month, colleagues and watchdogs said late Tuesday.

Abdoulie John, who is also the editor of the JollofNews website, was detained by the National Intelligence Agency on Monday and has not been seen since, a Gambian Press Union official said.

"He is still detained," the official said, adding that the reason for John's arrest were not clear.

He had been arrested in early December following a heated exchange with President Yahya Jammeh's photographer while covering the release of Senegalese soldiers held by rebels in the Casamance region.

John was released on December 10.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, John was summoned by the National Intelligence Agency on Monday and accompanied by a GPU official.

"Authorities in The Gambia must reveal the whereabouts of journalist Abdoulie John and release him immediately. This journalist was literally kidnapped yesterday by the National Intelligence Agency," the group said in a statement.

It called on the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to press for his release and better protection of journalists in Gambia.

Gambia, a sliver of land wedged into Senegal and the smallest country on mainland Africa, has been ruled with an iron first by Jammeh since he took power in a 1994 coup.

Rights groups regularly slam Gambia's treatment of journalists, who are often arrested, forced to flee into exile, or have simply disappeared.

Several radio stations and publications have been forced to shut down in recent months.