I have learned with profound shock and sadness the murder of our esteemed and great colleague, Deyda Hydara of The Point newspaper.
I am extremely disappointed at this latest attack on press freedom. I call on the international community, including the world’s  media organisations, to bring pressure to bear on the Gambian government to find and prosecute the perpetrators of this terrible act.
Mae Gene and our entire family join me in extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, to all our media colleagues and to the entire Gambian people as a whole for this tragic loss.
Deyda was a true patriot who loved his country so much that he was, like most journalists, prepared to make the supreme sacrifice for truth, justice, fair play, human development and progress in his beloved country.
May God have mercy on his soul and grant him eternal rest.
May the Gambian people continue to put their faith and trust in God. May He reassure them that out of this latest assassination He will empower them with courage to persevere, holding fast to all that is good, until the day of reckoning comes, as surely come it will.
A tribute by Kenneth Best, a Liberian national who came to The Gambia in the wake of war in his country. A journalist, Mr Best founded Daily Observer, a leading newspaper in Gambia before he was sent away by Gambian authorities.  This tribute was published in The Point, Friday, 14 January 2005.

The Quest for Truth Was the Hallmark of Deyda Hydara’s Life

The Methodist Church in The Gambia joins its voice with all those who are appalled, shocked and saddened by the murder of Deyda Hydara.
In extending our sympathy and assuring our prayers for the family, his friends and his colleagues we pledge our support for all those in the media and in public life, who will do everything in their power to defend freedom of speech.
We pray that this atrocious act will deter no one from standing firm for the truth, which was the hallmark of Mr Hydara’s life and journalistic expertise, but that it will rather ensure that a passionate pursuit for truth will be encouraged.
We urge those in our society who hold positions of influence and authority to stand in solidarity with those who condemn the acts of violence and aggression against those who express their views freely and without favour.
The Methodist Church, since the days of its founder John Wesley, has always been an advocate of social justice and reform and has never been ashamed to proclaim its beliefs in the face of criticism, unpopularity or even persecution.
We are therefore determined to continue that tradition in this present time and in this distressing circumstance and stand in firm support of those who are the genuine seekers of truth in a world where violence and corruption so often appear to reign.
May God bless those who are mourning at this time and inspire those who are determined to hold fast to the principles for which Deyda lived and died.