Draft:Madi Jobarteh
Madi Jobarteh | |
|---|---|
| File:Madi Jobarteh.jpg Jobarteh in 2016 | |
| Born | Boraba, Central River Region, The Gambia |
| Citizenship | Gambian |
| Education | The University of Ghana University of Groningen |
| Occupation(s) | Human rights defender, pro-democracy activist |
| Years active | 1997 - present |
| Organization(s) | The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice |
| Known for | Human rights defender |
| Website | EFSCRJ |
Madi Jobarteh (b. 15th August 1971) is a prominent Gambian human rights defender and pro-democracy activist.[1][2][3]
Early life
Jobarteh was born in Boraba, Upper Fulladu West, in the Central River Region of The Gambia.
Education
Jobarteh attended St Charles Lwanga Primary School, Faji Kunda, Kanifing Municipality; St Peter's Technical High School, Lamin, West Coast Region; and sat for his 'A' Levels at St Augustine's High School in Banjul.
He began his university education at Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, but his studies was interrupted by the civil war there, and he transferred to Ghana to complete his undergraduate programme..
Madi holds a BA (Hons) degree in Linguistics and Philosophy from the University of Ghana, Legon,[4] and an LLM awarded by the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands.
Human rights work
Jobarteh is founder and executive director of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) in The Gambia.[5] Prior to that, he served as country director for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a position he relinquished over disagreements on the Israel/Palestine conflict.[6]
His human rights and pro-democracy stance put him at odds first with the government of former Gambian dictator, Yahya Jammeh.
Subsequently, Jobarteh has clashed with the administration of Adama Barrow which succeeded Jammeh in The Gambia.[7] He has challenged the current government over allegations of theft of public resources, corruption, police brutality and the failure of public officials to deliver.[8]
Jobarteh has been arrested by the Barrow authorities on numerous occasions under politically-motivated charges.[9][10]
Temporary exile
Between 2016 and 2017, Madi Jobarteh was briefly exiled in the Netherlands where he had been participating in a Shelter City visit for at-risk human rights defenders, only to realise he could not return for fear of arrest upon arrival in The Gambia. He remained in exile in the Netherlands until February 2017.[11]
References
- ^ "Madi Jobarteh: Gambia's most loved and hated activist". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Gambia: Human rights defender at risk in Gambia: Madi Jobarteh". Amnesty International. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Human rights defender Madi Jobarteh charged after being provisionally released". Front Line Defenders. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Ghana University alumni launch association in Gambia - The Point". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Team – efscrj.org". Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ Bah, Omar (2024-02-23). "Madi Quits Westminster Foundation Over Palestine Issue – The Standard Newspaper | Gambia". Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ Marenah, Sainey M. K. (2021-10-07). "Pres. Adama Barrow's Shameful Visit! Insulting- Madi Jobarteh". The Alkamba Times. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ Times, The Alkamba (2023-09-07). "Government Silence over Corruption - Madi Jobarteh". The Alkamba Times. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Gambia: Further information: Drop charges against human rights defender: Madi Jobarteh". Amnesty International. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Amnesty Int. Urges Gambia Government To Drop 'Baseless' Charges Against Madi Jobarteh". Kerr Fatou Online Media House. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ "Madi, a voice for change in The Gambia". Justice & Peace Netherlands. Retrieved 2025-09-19.