Mandinka Overview - 2013 U.S. State Department Human Rights Country Report, The Gambia

Last summer, the families of U.S. citizens Alhaji Ceesay and Ebrima Jobe notified the U.S. Embassy in Banjul that the two had gone missing in The Gambia.  Since then, the United States government has raised its concerns over their welfare to the Government of The Gambia and has sought the government’s assistance in locating both of them. The protection and safety of U.S. citizens overseas remains of the highest importance to the State Department.

The United States government expresses again its urgent request that The Gambian government intensify its efforts to assist us in locating these two missing citizens.  Mr. Ceesay and Mr. Jobe were last seen in Tranquil, The Gambia in June 2013 and we have no credible information to suggest that they have left the country. 

 We ask, therefore, that anyone with credible information on the whereabouts of Mr. Ceesay and Mr. Jobe please contact the American Citizens Services office at the U.S. Embassy in Banjul by email at ConsularBanjul@state.gov or the Africa Division of the Office of Overseas Citizens Services of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747.

[Wolof] Missing U.S. Citizens in The Gambia:  Alhaji Ceesay and Ebrima Jobe

[Mandinka] Missing U.S. Citizens in The Gambia:  Alhaji Ceesay and Ebrima Jobe

The Ebola Song features lyrics in Mandinka, Wolof, and English about preventing Ebola in The Gambia.  The song features Badibunka, Cess Nugn, Killa ACE, Sandeng, and the kora stylings of Amadou Susso.  The music was composed, arranged, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Oumar Traore (Tra) of Xalam Studio in The Gambia.  

This song is adapted from a track released by the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone by Jimmy B, Steady Bongo, and Heyden Adama.

The song was executive produced and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy Banjul, The Gambia.

For more information, check us out at www.facebook.com/USEmbassyBanjul

The Ebola Song - The Gambia (Ft. BB,CN,KA,S,AS) Produced by Tra

CESS NGUM Dem Na Degugnou Ci Mom

“This song is inspired by what’s happening everyday around me. Many of my brothers and sisters are losing their lives on this risky journey. When the U.S. Embassy called me for this project I was excited. I knew this was the right time for me to express my feelings and connect with the people. It’s an advice song for the youth. There are lots of things happening out there: the rebels, sickness, disease and of course death. It is just too risky.” - Artenola

ARTENOLA Bouga Dem Tukki

“My song says “no to the back way” because many people have gone through the back way never to return. I have lost a friend to the back way you know. I am encouraging everyone not to use this way because it is not a good way. You may reach Europe but it is more likely that you will die on the way.
I once considered going through the back way you know. It was constantly on my mind that I have to go to Europe. But then I decided against it. Now I am trying to stop my own brothers and sisters from going through the back way.” - Kaira Boy

KAIRA BOY Halladan Kille

“This song is a conversation between a father and his child. The child is saying ‘it’s so rough and tough here, I need to go the back way to make a living.’ The father is trying to cool him down, and is telling him that no matter how hard things are, your life is worth more.” - Silky Criss

SILKY CRISS So Rough & So Tough

The Human Rights Reports cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements. http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2014&dlid=236362
The report has been translated into Mandingo and Wolof.