Ndey Tapha Sosseh

Ndey Tapha Sosseh (born 1979) is a Gambian journalist and unionist. In 2004, she became editor-in-chief of The Daily Observer, making her the first female editor-in-chief of a daily newspaper in the Gambia's history. From 2008 to 2011, she served as president of the Gambia Press Union.

Sosseh was a government target during the final years of Yahya Jammeh's presidency, largely because of her response to the killing of the journalist Deyda Hydara, and she spent 2009–2017 in Mali, where she holds dual citizenship.

Early life

Ndey Tapha Sosseh was born in 1979 in Banjul, the Gambian capital.[1] Her parents were Adelaide Sosseh Gaye, a human rights activist, and Mustapha Sosseh, who died unexpectedly when her mother was three months pregnant with her.[2]

Career

Sosseh began her career as an intern at The Daily Observer, the Gambia's first daily newspaper, in June 1998. She then became a reporter and editor for the newspaper, eventually running its "Women in Development" column.[1][3][4]

In 2000, she moved to the United Kingdom for further training in journalism. She obtained a master's degree in international journalism from the University of Central England in Birmingham and also studied at Warwickshire College before returning to the Gambia in June 2004.[1][5]

After returning home, she became editor-in-chief of The Daily Observer later that year, making her the first woman to lead a daily newspaper in the Gambia.[6]

In January 2005, she was succeeded in the role by Momodou Sanyang.[7]

Two months later, she was elected general secretary of the Gambia Press Union.[4][8] Then, in 2008, she was elected president of the GPU, succeeding outgoing president Madi Ceesay.[5][9][10][11]

She held the presidency until 2011, when Emil Touray ran against her and won, becoming the new GPU leader.[12][13]

During her time as president of the GPU, Sosseh went into exile in Bamako, Mali, beginning in June 2009. She had become a government target due to her outspokenness in the years following the killing of fellow journalist Deyda Hydara.[13][14]

In 2011, she was charged with treason in the Gambia over her work with a group called Coalition for Change – The Gambia (CCG), and the Gambian government under Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara sought her extradition.[15][14] In response, the International Federation of Journalists hired round-the-clock security to protect her.[14] Tangara later denied that he sought to have her extradited and said he had instead advocated for her protection.[16]

Sosseh returned to the Gambia from exile in October 2017, after Yahya Jammeh was voted out in the 2016 Gambian presidential election.[14] She subsequently worked as an advisor to Minister for Communication and Information Demba A. Jawo.[13][17]

In July 2019, Sosseh testified in front of the Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, sharing her experiences with self-censorship and pressure on journalists under President Yahya Jammeh.[4][14]

Personal life

Sosseh's husband is Malian, which allowed her to gain Malian dual citizenship.[14]

References
  1. Gibba, Abba; Senghore, Babucarr (4 March 2009). "Spotlight on Ndey Tapha Sosseh, President, Gambia Press Union". The Point. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  2. Sosseh, Adelaide (23 June 2017). "Perceptions Of A Widow On International Widow's Day, June 23". The Women's Torch. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019.
  3. Manneh, Fatou Jaw (24 March 2008). "Gambia: No 'Camps,' Says New Press Union President". Freedom Newspaper. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008.
  4. Asemota, Bruce (15 July 2019). "Jungler reveals Jammeh's hit-squad was to kill prominent journalists". The Point. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019.
  5. Asemota, Bruce (12 July 2019). "Ndey Tapha Sosseh 'GPU Iron lady' testifies before TRRC". The Point. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019.
  6. "Gambia: A Remarkable Choice". The Independent. 6 September 2004. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012.
  7. Carayol, Ahmed (14 January 2005). "Gambia: Daily Obserer Editor-in-Chief Replaced". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.
  8. "Gambia: Our Enemies Cannot Scare Us, GPU President Vows". The Independent. 1 April 2005. Archived from the original on 10 April 2005.
  9. Makalo, Malamin N. (22 March 2008). "Gambia: Yahya Jammeh's Coup Against GPU Foiled!!!". Freedom Newspaper. Archived from the original on 29 March 2008.
  10. Manneh, Fatou Jaw (23 March 2008). "Gambia: 'I Am Not Running for a Second Term' – GPU Prexy Ceesay". Freedom Newspaper. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008.
  11. Janneh, Gibairou (26 March 2008). "Gambia: GPU Makes History". Foroyaa Newspaper. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008.
  12. "Gambia: GPU Elects New Executive at Triennial Congress". Foroyaa Newspaper. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.
  13. "Ndey Tapha Sosseh: Journalist, Unionist, freedom fighter". The Point. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019.
  14. Jallow, Yankuba (12 July 2019). "Ndey Tapha-Sosseh Narrates Attempts to Extradite Her". Foroyaa Newspaper. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  15. "Gambian ex-minister, others charged with treason". Reuters. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  16. "Dr. Tangara says he urged Malian authorities to protect Ndey". The Point. 15 July 2019. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019.
  17. Bobb, Cherno Omar (5 December 2017). "NCCE holds seminar for youth organisations, CSOs". The Point. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019.
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