The United States Embassy has expressed great concern about the welfare and safety of Imam Baba Leigh. A statement issued by the Embassy indicated that as a leading Islamic scholar, Imam Baba Leigh is a frequent and esteemed interlocutor of the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Department of State.

The statement went on to say that "The Gambia's National Intelligence Agency allegedly detained him on Monday, December 3 for reasons unknown. Imam Baba Leigh remains unaccounted for and the Government of The Gambia has denied his family the opportunity to visit him."

The Embassy urged "the Government of The Gambia, the residence of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, to act in accordance with its responsibility as a standard bearer on matters of political freedom, civil liberties, and due process of law, as well as its international obligations."

We call on all concerned to provide access for the family 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.