By Adama Makasuba
A delegation of Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission officials, led by Dr. Lamin Sise, chairperson of the commission on Tuesday visited the Fajara Barracks, Jeshwang Juvenile Wing and a NIA secret detention centre in Jeshwang.
The Fajara army barracks has been mentioned many times by witnesses before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
The commission visited the anteroom, guardroom, old cook house, four gate entrances of the camp, a centenary, the building used as a garage where many witnesses like Omar Amadou Jallow and others were victimised during their detention by the junta members and their loyalist.
Upon the arrival, the commoners were received by Warrant Officer Class 1, Lamin Fatty who doubles as the Camp’s RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) and the Camp Commander, Major Yaya M.S. Darboe.
Speaking to the Commissioners, RSM Fatty said he was an eyewitness of the November 11 mass execution of soldiers.
In his explanation, Fatty said on the 10th November 1994, he saw Lieutenant Sanna Sabally alongside other council (AFPRC) members and other soldiers. He noted that he witnessed the execution of the soldiers by Sabally and co at the field in the Fajara Barracks.
He told the TRRC that the ‘killings’ happened directly opposite the office of the Camp Commander.
He said the soldiers were lined-up at the field (the parade ground) within the Barracks.
“I was standing around the main gate but I witnessed them firing at the soldiers. Before firing at them, they were asked to run for their lives. The firing lasted for about 15 minutes,” RSM Fatty said.
He said after two hours, Sabally and his men left the camp for Yundum adding that all those who were killed were transported to Yundum Barrack for burial.
“Have you participated in any torture of persons?” Dr. Sise asked.
“No sir. I was trained by the Gendarmerie and I have never tortured any person,” the witness.
Meanwhile, the cook house has been abandoned by the army; it is now used as a store for keeping firewood.
The RSM explained that the back side of the camp in 1994 was not fenced. He said this made it easy for Sanna and his men to penetrate into the camp. He added that Sanna’s group was having heavy weapons and it was not possible for the guards at the back gate to stop them. The entire Barracks is now fenced.
RSM Fatty also told the TRRC that the Barracks is faced with water shortage.
The Commission then proceeded to the centenary and the school in the Barracks.
According to the information that the Commission was provided with, it was used as the Barracks’ Garage. It was also where OJ Jallow and other PPP members who were allegedly planning to stage a demonstration at the American Embassy . According to the Camp Commander, Major Darboe said the structure remains as it was since 1994. He added that the only renovation that was made is the corrugated sheet. The Hanger is a very large hall that was used by the AFPRC government to detain the PPP purported demonstrators. It is now use for another function by the military but due to security reasons, this cannot be on paper.
This is a room for officers and not soldiers. According to their explanation, an officer is a commissioned soldier. This room is where officers sit and discuss operational matters as well as take their meals.
After the Fajara Barracks, the TRRC proceeded to the Juvenile and Adult Wings in Jeshwang. The Commission was received by Deputy Director of Prisons, Momodou Jarju, Commissioner Haruna Jobe, and Deputy Commissioner Alagie Jobe.
Leading the TRRC into the prison, Alagie Jobe said they have 116 cells. He detailed that the Adult wing has 57 convicted prisoners and 45 people under remand whereas the Juvenile Wing has only one convict and 12 under remand.
The information provided to the TRRC indicated the following; Cell 1- 4 detainees, Cell 2- 3 detainee, Cell 3- 29 detainees, Cell 4- 28 detainees and Cell 5- no detainee.
Alagie Jobe told the TRRC that the remand wing of the adult prisons has been renovated. The Remand Wing is divided into three segments. It was observed that one of the remand wings has air conditioners, fans, beds with sheets and net, and a toilet.
The inmates were complaining of their rights being violated by the authorities. They were heard complaining that they have been for so long without appearing before a court. Some said they miss their court dates because the authorities won’t take them to court. Some said they are still undergoing trial for over 4 years. One of them told Foroyaa that he missed going to court for the past 9 months.
“I am still in trial for 4 years 6 months,” one Ansumana Jarju told Foroyaa.
“I have been in this remand wing for 7 years,” one Muhammed Jaw told Foroyaa.
It was disclosed to the TRRC one Ansumana Minteh has 15 years in detention and he is still undergoing trial.
The TRRC also visited Bamba Dingka cells within the Jeshwang Prisons. The structure is now abandoned and there are no inmates. The structure is made up of 2 cells with small windows.
The Commission also visited the detention center of the convicted prisoners. It was observed that inmates have their beds on the floor as well with weak mattresses. Each of the beds has a bed net.
At the Juvenile Wing
The TRRC after completing touring the adult wing proceeded to the juvenile wing. They visited the school and later the cells. It was detailed that Cell 1 has 7 inmates and Cell 2 has 6 inmates.
At the NIA Secret Detention Center
This is a place under the custody of the NIA. It was used as a secret detention center. It was observed that each of the three cells has hooks on the wall. According to the investigator of the TRRC, Alagie Barrow said this was a safe house for the NIA. He said it is a state-owned property under the SIS (NIA). It was observed that each of the cells have 5 or more hooks.
On the other side of the premises of this detention center, there is a well-furnished house with a lot of rooms as a resident for people. It was observed that each of the rooms has a bed, air conditioner, furniture among others.
The TRRC would travel today to Janjanbureh Prisons.