Gambian Environment Minister Sues Journalist Over Alleged Defamatory Report

The Gambia’s Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang, has followed through on her threat to sue journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh over a report she claims is defamatory.

Speaking during a Parliamentary session in Banjul, the Minister confirmed that she had taken legal action against Manneh, a reporter for the private online newspaper The Alkamba Times. Her legal team filed a libel and slander suit at the High Court in Banjul on Tuesday, citing what she described as “malicious and unfounded allegations” concerning the illegal felling of two mahogany trees.

The lawsuit is in response to a June 19, 2024, publication by The Alkamba Times titled “Environment Minister, Former LRR Governor Accused of Involvement in Illegal Transactions of Seized Logs.” The article alleged that the Minister and the former Lower River Region (LRR) Governor were involved in illicit dealings related to confiscated logs.

Following the publication, the Minister strongly denied the allegations and threatened legal action, despite the fact that the report prompted an official investigation. With the police in Mansakonko still probing the matter, the Minister has now taken the additional step of bringing the case to court.