USA and UK concerned about Imam Baba Leigh’s welfare and safety

Imam Baba Leigh disappeared on December 3, 2013 following local media reports that he was allegedly picked up by secret agents

“The United States and the United Kingdom continue to be greatly concerned about the welfare and safety of Imam Baba Leigh,” a joint statement of the US Embassy and British High Commission said on Friday. 

The statement came exactly five months following Imam Baba Leigh’s disappearance on December 3, 2012.

It said: “As a leading Islamic scholar, Imam Baba Leigh is a frequent interlocutor of the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Department of State and is known as a trusted religious leader throughout The Gambia.

“The Gambia’s National Intelligence Agency allegedly detained him on Monday, December 3 for reasons unknown. Imam Baba Leigh has not been seen or heard from in five months and the Government of The Gambia continues to deny providing information about his whereabouts.

“We urge the Government of The Gambia to act in accordance with its laws as well as its international obligations. 

“We call on all concerned to provide lawyers, family members, and international observers’ access to Imam Baba Leigh and to treat him fully in accordance with the laws of The Gambia and the accepted norms of international human rights.

“The British High Commission representing the EU locally and the EU Delegation in The Gambia associates itself to the above statement.”