Gambia Bar Association - Lawyers, under the banner of Gambia Bar Association (GBA), have called off their strike action, the body said in a statement, received by PANA here Tuesday. The GBA said it was calling off the strike action in view of recent developments and the call by their embattled colleague, Moses Richard, for presidential pardon.

Richards, on 8 October, reportedly wrote a letter, saying: “I disassociate myself from the strike and other actions of GBA,” adding that, “the actions of GBA from beginning has not helped my cause. I continue to apologise for my actions.”

The jailed lawyer was said to have further written to President Yahya Jammeh, begging for “presidential pardon”.

Reacting to the development, GBA members convened a meeting and later came up with a statement, saying the strike action has been cancelled. 

President of the association, Sheriff Tambedou, also explained that their peaceful protest march could not hold because the police had denied them a permit for “public security and safety” reasons.

“The association is a non-partisan body interested only in the promotion of the rule of law and protection of its members,” the statement emphasized.

“The association wishes to thank the general public, litigants and its members for their support during these difficult times.”

The GBA members embarked on seven-day stay-away from courts sittings as well as other actions to protest the imprisonment of Richards.

Pana 12/10/2011