Family Pleads for Maryland Woman's Release From Gambia Jail

A Frederick, Maryland woman has been sitting in jail more than 4,000 miles away in West Africa without any communication with her husband and two daughters for more than two months.

Fanta Jawara was visiting her home country of Gambia in April when she was arrested during an anti-government demonstration.

Jawara has been charged with unlawful assembly, rioting and inciting violence -- among many other charges. Last month, the U.S. State Department said Jawara participated in the protest and it is closely monitoring her detainment.

But her family said she wasn't part of the demonstration and was walking to a bank nearby at the time of the protests.

"They just haul anybody in sight. Threw them into trucks," said Momodou Darboe, Jawara's uncle.

Her husband, Ebrima Jawara, said he and his daughters desperately want her to come home.

"I miss her a lot. She's everything in our house," he said.

Their 17-year-old daughter, Aminata Jawara, said she wants her mother to know, "We love her and we miss her and to stay strong."

"We miss her and we hope she can come home soon," said 12-year-old Sarah Jawara.

The family believes her detention is political as Jawara's uncle in Gambia is the leader of the opposition party.

Several Maryland lawmakers, including senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, have urged for her release, saying in part, "We are extremely concerned about her continued incarceration and call for her immediate release."

Both the State Department and Ebrima Jawara said they're concerned about her treatment in the prison where she's being held by the government of President Yahya Jammeh. Fanta's husband is a grandson of Jammeh's predecessor, Dawda Jawara, who was ousted in a 1994 military coup.

Contact Us