The Death of Ghanaians in The Gambia two years ago while in the hands of human smugglers sheds light on the Nexis between al Qaeda and organized criminals that traffic in people, drugs, arms, cash, and whatever else needs to be moved in Africa. Douglas Farah wrote more on the subject recently. What follows is an article about the investigation into their deaths.

-Shimron

ACCRA, Aug 24 (Reuters) - What started as a dream to build a better life in Europe, ended with gunshots, machetes and death at the hands of Gambian soldiers, according to a survivor.
With bullets flying overhead, Ghanaian Martin Kyere scrambled deep into Gambia's forests in the dead of night, the cries for mercy of his fellow migrants ringing in his ears.

Two years on, officials from Ghana are still investigating what happened in July 2005 when eight Ghanaians planning to make the perilous journey to Europe in fishing boats were killed.
Another 44 West Africans, mostly Ghanaians, disappeared and most are feared dead or languishing in Gambia's jails.


"The Gambian president must release the rest or say why they were killed," said Kyere, who has spoken with one person still in a Gambian jail and believes at least 15 others were killed.
A seven-member Ghanaian delegation travels to Gambia on Friday and their inquiry is due to be completed by September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The visit follows a 2005 agreement between Gambia and Ghana for a joint investigation but human rights groups say Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's government -- accused of imprisoning political opponents and journalists without trial in the former British colony -- has scarcely cooperated.

Read the rest of Kyere's story.

The Rest @ Reuters Africa