Latest news with #AbdoulieCeesay
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Violence, pure and simple': Two arrested after baby dies from suspected female genital mutilation in Gambia
Two women have been arrested in Gambia over the death of a one-month-old baby girl who was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), the BBC reported. Police said the infant was taken to a hospital in the capital, Banjul, after developing severe bleeding, but was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death, but BBC reports that many have linked it to FGM, a practice outlawed in the West African nation since 2015. 'Culture is no excuse, tradition is no shield, this is violence, pure and simple,' a non-governmental organisation, Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), said in a statement. The organisation's founder, Fatou Baldeh, told the BBC that more babies were undergoing the procedure as parents believed they healed faster and, because of the law, it was easier to disguise when performed at a young age. MP Abdoulie Ceesay, who represents the Kombo North District where the incident occurred, said: 'The loss of this innocent child must not be forgotten. Let it mark a turning point and a moment for our nation to renew its unwavering commitment to protecting every child's right to life, safety, and dignity.' FGM includes procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical or cultural reasons, and is recognised internationally as a violation of human rights and the health of girls and women. WHO classifies four types of FGM- Gambia is among 10 countries with the highest rates of FGM, with 73 per cent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, many before the age of six, according to the BBC. Under Gambian law, those found guilty of performing FGM face fines and prison terms of up to three years, or life sentences if a girl dies as a result.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Outrage as baby dies after genital mutilation in The Gambia
The death of a one-month-old baby girl who was the victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia has sparked widespread outrage. The baby was rushed to a hospital in the capital, Banjiul, after she developed severe bleeding, but was pronounced dead on arrival, police said. Although an autopsy is still being conducted to establish the cause of her death, many people have linked it to FGM, or female circumcision, a cultural practice outlawed in the West African state. "Culture is no excuse, tradition is no shield, this is violence, pure and simple," a leading non-governmental organisation, Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), said in a statement. Two women had been arrested for their alleged involvement in the baby's death, police said. The MP for the Kombo North District where the incident happened emphasised the need to protect children from harmful practices that rob them of their health, dignity, and life. "The loss of this innocent child must not be forgotten. Let it mark a turning-point and a moment for our nation to renew its unwavering commitment to protecting every child's right to life, safety, and dignity," Abdoulie Ceesay said. FGM is the deliberate cutting or removal of a female's external genitalia. The most frequently cited reasons for carrying it out are social acceptance, religious beliefs, misconceptions about hygiene, a means of preserving a girl or woman's virginity, making her "marriageable", and enhancing male sexual pleasure. The Gambia is among the 10 countries with the highest rates of FGM, with 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, with many doing so before the age of six years. 'I wanted my clitoris back' - FGM survivor WILL founder Fatou Baldeh told the BBC that there was an increase in FGM procedures being performed on babies in The Gambia. "Parents feel that if they cut their girls when they're babies, they heal quicker, but also, because of the law, they feel that if they perform it at such a young age, it's much easier to disguise, so that people don't know," she said. FGM has been outlawed in The Gambia since 2015, with fines and jail terms of up to three years for perpetrators, and life sentences if a girl dies as a result. However, there have only been two prosecutions and one conviction, in 2023. A strong lobby group has emerged to demand the decriminalisation of FGM, but legislation aimed at repealing the ban was voted down in parliament last year. FGM is banned in more than 70 countries globally but continues to be practised particularly in Africa's Muslim-majority countries, such as The Gambia. You may also be interested in: What is FGM, where does it happen and why? FGM survivor refuses to let mutilation define her life 'Why I broke the law to be circumcised aged 26' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Nahar Net
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Beijing ups diplomatic pressure on Africa as the US pulls back
by Naharnet Newsdesk 09 April 2025, 11:54 Chinese diplomats threatened to cancel a summit and called top officials in two African countries to pressure lawmakers to quit an international parliamentary group critical of China, officials from the group told The Associated Press. It's an example of how far China will go to influence politicians overseas, and how that pressure can succeed behind closed doors. In the past year, lawmakers from Malawi and Gambia withdrew from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 38 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing, according to letters, messages and voice recordings obtained by The Associated Press. Founded in 2020, the group has coordinated sanctions on China over rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong and rallied support for Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island Beijing claims as its territory. African politicians and experts say it's an escalation of Chinese diplomatic pressure in Africa, where Beijing's influence is growing. Beijing has built deep ties with African leaders by developing mines and building infrastructure through state-owned construction companies, often funded by loans from state-owned banks. The pressure is also part of Beijing's longstanding effort to influence groups and lawmakers across the world, including in New York state, where a former governor's aide faces charges for acting as an agent for the Chinese government. 'Very shocking news' In January, Gambian lawmaker Abdoulie Ceesay sent a voice message to an IPAC staffer saying the Chinese government had complained to the Gambian foreign ministry about his membership. "We have very shocking news … it's a problem right now," Ceesay said in the recording, which IPAC provided to AP. "The president is not happy with us at all." Later the same month, Ceesay and fellow lawmaker Amadou Camara informed the alliance they were withdrawing. Ceesay told IPAC in a written message that his decision was "not influenced by the Chinese embassy," a position Ceesay reiterated when contacted by AP. Gambia's information minister said he was unaware of any attempt by China to influence his country's politicians. "They decided on their own behalf to opt out of IPAC after realizing it goes against the government's bilateral (relationship) with China," said the minister, Ismaila Ceesay, who is not related to Abdoulie Ceesay. The Chinese government has targeted lawmakers over the alliance before. Beijing has sanctioned some members and last year, lawmakers from at least six countries were pressured by Chinese diplomats not to attend the group's summit in Taiwan. Kenyan lawmakers cancelled their plans to attend but stayed in the alliance. The group was also targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers in 2021, according to a U.S. indictment. "Foreign legislators are being bullied out of a free alliance between them and other politicians," said IPAC head Luke de Pulford. "This is clearly a result of Chinese pressure." In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused IPAC of "smearing China" and said that "China has never engaged in coercive diplomacy." But a Malawian lawmaker, Ephraim Abel Kayembe, told an IPAC staffer he had been contacted by the speaker of the Malawian National Assembly shortly after he and another lawmaker joined the group at last year's Taiwan summit, according to the staffer. The staffer declined to be named for fear of damage to their relations with other politicians. The speaker told Kayembe the Chinese government had threatened to cancel the president's upcoming visit to Beijing for a regional summit and meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to IPAC head de Pulford, programs director Tom Fraser and the person who spoke directly to Kayembe. Less than two weeks after the summit, the two Malawian lawmakers said they were withdrawing. Kayembe said in a letter to IPAC that he had been tricked into joining. "I want to extend my sincere apology to the People's Republic of China," Kayembe wrote in the Aug. 7 letter. When contacted by AP, Kayembe denied being coerced by the Malawi or Chinese governments, writing in an email that he withdrew because the alliance appeared "aimed at achieving geopolitical intentions against China." Malawi's government did not respond to a request for comment. Shifting alliances For decades, Beijing has cultivated ties with African governments, seeking diplomatic partners and access to natural resources. Many African leaders have welcomed Beijing's presence since it brings much-needed capital and construction expertise that can contribute to economic growth and development. Critics say China strikes secretive, sometimes corrupt deals with African leaders that mainly benefit Chinese companies and workers brought in to build mines, bridges and railways. "China has been investing and being present in African countries when many countries were not willing to come," said Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor of the China Global South Project, an independent research group. Chinese leaders have repeatedly promised not to interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, saying there are "no political strings attached" to its investment. But China has pressured African governments to shun Taiwan or Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, efforts that Neema says appear to be escalating. Last October, South Africa demanded that Taipei move its unofficial embassy out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, and in January, Beijing sanctioned the head of South Africa's second-largest political party for visiting Taiwan. Moves like these mirror efforts China has made against governments elsewhere in the past. Beijing blocked exports from Lithuania, for example, after the northern European country allowed Taiwan to open a trade office. But experts say the pressure against the IPAC members is unusual. Lina Benabdallah, a professor at Wake Forest University who studies China's relations with Africa, said she has never heard of China using direct coercion against African parliamentarians before. "This is very new to me," Benabdallah said. Zimbabwe lawmaker and IPAC member Daniel Molokele said he expects to see more coercive behavior from Beijing, especially as the Trump administration pulls back from Africa. "I expect China to benefit," Molokele said. "It will definitely use this opportunity to grow its influence in Africa."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Beijing ups diplomatic pressure on Africa as the US pulls back
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese diplomats threatened to cancel a summit and called top officials in two African countries to pressure lawmakers to quit an international parliamentary group critical of China, officials from the group told The Associated Press. It's an example of how far China will go to influence politicians overseas, and how that pressure can succeed behind closed doors. In the past year, lawmakers from Malawi and Gambia withdrew from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 38 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing, according to letters, messages and voice recordings obtained by The Associated Press. Founded in 2020, the group has coordinated sanctions on China over rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong and rallied support for Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island Beijing claims as its territory. African politicians and experts say it's an escalation of Chinese diplomatic pressure in Africa, where Beijing's influence is growing. Beijing has built deep ties with African leaders by developing mines and building infrastructure through state-owned construction companies, often funded by loans from state-owned banks. The pressure is also part of Beijing's longstanding effort to influence groups and lawmakers across the world, including in New York state, where a former governor's aide faces charges for acting as an agent for the Chinese government. 'Very shocking news' In January, Gambian lawmaker Abdoulie Ceesay sent a voice message to an IPAC staffer saying the Chinese government had complained to the Gambian foreign ministry about his membership. 'We have very shocking news … it's a problem right now,' Ceesay said in the recording, which IPAC provided to AP. 'The president is not happy with us at all.' Later the same month, Ceesay and fellow lawmaker Amadou Camara informed the alliance they were withdrawing. Ceesay told IPAC in a written message that his decision was 'not influenced by the Chinese embassy,' a position Ceesay reiterated when contacted by AP. Gambia's information minister said he was unaware of any attempt by China to influence his country's politicians. 'They decided on their own behalf to opt out of IPAC after realizing it goes against the government's bilateral (relationship) with China,' said the minister, Ismaila Ceesay, who is not related to Abdoulie Ceesay. The Chinese government has targeted lawmakers over the alliance before. Beijing has sanctioned some members and last year, lawmakers from at least six countries were pressured by Chinese diplomats not to attend the group's summit in Taiwan. Kenyan lawmakers cancelled their plans to attend but stayed in the alliance. The group was also targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers in 2021, according to a U.S. indictment. 'Foreign legislators are being bullied out of a free alliance between them and other politicians,' said IPAC head Luke de Pulford. 'This is clearly a result of Chinese pressure.' In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused IPAC of 'smearing China" and said that 'China has never engaged in coercive diplomacy." But a Malawian lawmaker, Ephraim Abel Kayembe, told an IPAC staffer he had been contacted by the speaker of the Malawian National Assembly shortly after he and another lawmaker joined the group at last year's Taiwan summit, according to the staffer. The staffer declined to be named for fear of damage to their relations with other politicians. The speaker told Kayembe the Chinese government had threatened to cancel the president's upcoming visit to Beijing for a regional summit and meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to IPAC head de Pulford, programs director Tom Fraser and the person who spoke directly to Kayembe. Less than two weeks after the summit, the two Malawian lawmakers said they were withdrawing. Kayembe said in a letter to IPAC that he had been tricked into joining. 'I want to extend my sincere apology to the People's Republic of China,' Kayembe wrote in the Aug. 7 letter. When contacted by AP, Kayembe denied being coerced by the Malawi or Chinese governments, writing in an email that he withdrew because the alliance appeared 'aimed at achieving geopolitical intentions against China.' Malawi's government did not respond to a request for comment. Shifting alliances For decades, Beijing has cultivated ties with African governments, seeking diplomatic partners and access to natural resources. Many African leaders have welcomed Beijing's presence since it brings much-needed capital and construction expertise that can contribute to economic growth and development. Critics say China strikes secretive, sometimes corrupt deals with African leaders that mainly benefit Chinese companies and workers brought in to build mines, bridges and railways. 'China has been investing and being present in African countries when many countries were not willing to come,' said Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor of the China Global South Project, an independent research group. Chinese leaders have repeatedly promised not to interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, saying there are 'no political strings attached' to its investment. But China has pressured African governments to shun Taiwan or Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, efforts that Neema says appear to be escalating. Last October, South Africa demanded that Taipei move its unofficial embassy out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, and in January, Beijing sanctioned the head of South Africa's second-largest political party for visiting Taiwan. Moves like these mirror efforts China has made against governments elsewhere in the past. Beijing blocked exports from Lithuania, for example, after the northern European country allowed Taiwan to open a trade office. But experts say the pressure against the IPAC members is unusual. Lina Benabdallah, a professor at Wake Forest University who studies China's relations with Africa, said she has never heard of China using direct coercion against African parliamentarians before. 'This is very new to me,' Benabdallah said. Zimbabwe lawmaker and IPAC member Daniel Molokele said he expects to see more coercive behavior from Beijing, especially as the Trump administration pulls back from Africa. 'I expect China to benefit,' Molokele said. 'It will definitely use this opportunity to grow its influence in Africa.' ___ Abdoulie John in Serrekunda, Gambia, and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed to this report.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Beijing ups diplomatic pressure on Africa as the US pulls back
Chinese diplomats threatened to cancel a summit and called top officials in two African countries to pressure lawmakers to quit an international parliamentary group critical of China, officials from the group told The Associated Press. It's an example of how far China will go to influence politicians overseas, and how that pressure can succeed behind closed doors. In the past year, lawmakers from Malawi and Gambia withdrew from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 38 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing, according to letters, messages and voice recordings obtained by The Associated Press. Founded in 2020, the group has coordinated sanctions on China over rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong and rallied support for Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island Beijing claims as its territory. African politicians and experts say it's an escalation of Chinese diplomatic pressure in Africa, where Beijing's influence is growing. Beijing has built deep ties with African leaders by developing mines and building infrastructure through state-owned construction companies, often funded by loans from state-owned banks. The pressure is also part of Beijing's longstanding effort to influence groups and lawmakers across the world, including in New York state, where a former governor's aide faces charges for acting as an agent for the Chinese government. 'Very shocking news' In January, Gambian lawmaker Abdoulie Ceesay sent a voice message to an IPAC staffer saying the Chinese government had complained to the Gambian foreign ministry about his membership. 'We have very shocking news … it's a problem right now,' Ceesay said in the recording, which IPAC provided to AP. 'The president is not happy with us at all.' Later the same month, Ceesay and fellow lawmaker Amadou Camara informed the alliance they were withdrawing. Ceesay told IPAC in a written message that his decision was 'not influenced by the Chinese embassy,' a position Ceesay reiterated when contacted by AP. Gambia's information minister said he was unaware of any attempt by China to influence his country's politicians. 'They decided on their own behalf to opt out of IPAC after realizing it goes against the government's bilateral (relationship) with China,' said the minister, Ismaila Ceesay, who is not related to Abdoulie Ceesay. The Chinese government has targeted lawmakers over the alliance before. Beijing has sanctioned some members and last year, lawmakers from at least six countries were pressured by Chinese diplomats not to attend the group's summit in Taiwan. Kenyan lawmakers cancelled their plans to attend but stayed in the alliance. The group was also targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers in 2021, according to a U.S. indictment. 'Foreign legislators are being bullied out of a free alliance between them and other politicians,' said IPAC head Luke de Pulford. 'This is clearly a result of Chinese pressure.' In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused IPAC of 'smearing China" and said that 'China has never engaged in coercive diplomacy." But a Malawian lawmaker, Ephraim Abel Kayembe, told an IPAC staffer he had been contacted by the speaker of the Malawian National Assembly shortly after he and another lawmaker joined the group at last year's Taiwan summit, according to the staffer. The staffer declined to be named for fear of damage to their relations with other politicians. The speaker told Kayembe the Chinese government had threatened to cancel the president's upcoming visit to Beijing for a regional summit and meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to IPAC head de Pulford, programs director Tom Fraser and the person who spoke directly to Kayembe. Less than two weeks after the summit, the two Malawian lawmakers said they were withdrawing. Kayembe said in a letter to IPAC that he had been tricked into joining. 'I want to extend my sincere apology to the People's Republic of China,' Kayembe wrote in the Aug. 7 letter. When contacted by AP, Kayembe denied being coerced by the Malawi or Chinese governments, writing in an email that he withdrew because the alliance appeared 'aimed at achieving geopolitical intentions against China.' Malawi's government did not respond to a request for comment. Shifting alliances For decades, Beijing has cultivated ties with African governments, seeking diplomatic partners and access to natural resources. Many African leaders have welcomed Beijing's presence since it brings much-needed capital and construction expertise that can contribute to economic growth and development. Critics say China strikes secretive, sometimes corrupt deals with African leaders that mainly benefit Chinese companies and workers brought in to build mines, bridges and railways. 'China has been investing and being present in African countries when many countries were not willing to come,' said Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor of the China Global South Project, an independent research group. Chinese leaders have repeatedly promised not to interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, saying there are 'no political strings attached' to its investment. But China has pressured African governments to shun Taiwan or Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, efforts that Neema says appear to be escalating. Last October, South Africa demanded that Taipei move its unofficial embassy out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, and in January, Beijing sanctioned the head of South Africa's second-largest political party for visiting Taiwan. Moves like these mirror efforts China has made against governments elsewhere in the past. Beijing blocked exports from Lithuania, for example, after the northern European country allowed Taiwan to open a trade office. But experts say the pressure against the IPAC members is unusual. Lina Benabdallah, a professor at Wake Forest University who studies China's relations with Africa, said she has never heard of China using direct coercion against African parliamentarians before. 'This is very new to me,' Benabdallah said. Zimbabwe lawmaker and IPAC member Daniel Molokele said he expects to see more coercive behavior from Beijing, especially as the Trump administration pulls back from Africa. 'I expect China to benefit,' Molokele said. 'It will definitely use this opportunity to grow its influence in Africa.' ___ Abdoulie John in Serrekunda, Gambia, and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed to this report.
