Gambian ministry confirms execution of nine prisoners

Gambia’s interior ministry on Monday confirmed the execution of nine prisoners being held on death row after the country’s president vowed to carry out all death sentences by mid-September to curb crimes and terrorism looming as a threat to the west African nation.The ministry said in a statement that the nine people were executed by firing squad on Sunday, Aug. 26, after they were sentenced to death and their appeals had been exhausted. The Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said last week that his government intends to resort to death penalty to fight against organized crimes and terrorism threats. “All forms of punishments that are stipulated by law will be maintained in the country so that criminals can get what they deserve.Those who kill should also be killed,” he said. “My government will not allow that 99 percent of the population is threatened by a small percentage of criminals,” Jammeh declared.The Gambian president made the remarks following the upsurge of crimes such as murders, robbery with violence and abductions.”Our objective is to create a peaceful, happy and crime-free nation,” he said and promised to reinforce security measures. However, the plan has drawn criticism from EU which called on Gambia to stop executing death row prisoners and pledged quick action. Britain on Monday also urged the Gambian authorities to halt any further executions, according to Alistair Burt, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.