Gambian President suspends executions

Gambia’s President Yahya Jemmeh has suspended the execution of prisoners on death row, amid international outcry.

Nine prisoners have been executed since Mr Jemmeh vow in August to clear the country’s death row.

The executions were the first in Gambia in 27 years and human rights groups have claimed that most of those killed are political prisoners.

But in a statement released by his office, the Gambian President said his decision to suspend the executions came in response to numerous appeals.

He warns that if the country’s crime rate declines the moratorium would be indefinite, but if there is an increase in criminal activities the moratorium will be automatically lifted.

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