Journalists in Africa are calling for the immediate release of their jailed colleagues in various parts of the continent.

At a news conference in Accra organised by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Association of Freedom of Expression Organizations, the journalists criticised the situation where some African governments use state apparatus to harass and intimidate journalists who are critical of their regimes.

The International Federation of Journalists cited the case of Ethiopia and the Gambia where reports say there are many media practitioners who have been jailed over the last six years.

According to the Africa Director of IFJ, Gabriel Baglo, a Union Government of Africa will not be possible if there is no freedom of the press.

He said: “In many countries in Africa people cannot exercise their freedom. More than 100 journalists are in exile in Ethiopia. For decades aggression, assassinations, use of arbitrary detentions, torture and ill treatment of journalists have continued unabated. This barbarism should stop.”

Some of the African journalists present also added their voices to the call on continent’s leaders to free all imprisoned journalists.