By: Adama Makasuba
Yusupha Bojang, a soldier has told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission that former president Yahya Jammeh gave the burning order of Independent Newspaper.
Independent Newspaper came under arson attack in 2006 after being critical about the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh, and since then it has not reoperated.
Mr. Sanneh, 43, said they arrived at the defunct Independent Newspaper at around 3 am and Jammeh’s top General Sul Badje told four of them that “this is an order from the president Yahya Jammeh that Independent Newspaper supposed to be burn.”
He said General Sul Badjie “gave them a gallon containing fuel and ordered them to burn the Newspaper” but Sanneh claimed he didn’t took part in burning the Newspaper, saying “I used my trick to Sul Badje and said I had a knee problem and I wouldn’t be able to run.”
Mr. Sanneh who was a member of Jammeh’s commandos told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission that “I heard him say yes sir and in the military anytime you hear yes sir, is used on only the former president Yahya Jammeh.”
He added that Sanna Manjai who is currently at large sustained burning injuries as they set the Newspaper on fire, adding “Su Badjie and I helped Sanna Manjang to put off the fire on his shirt.”
He however said after the Independent Newspaper incident that he was finally omitted out any assignment with the group and paced as only a guard.
He told the commission that as they were selected to conduct patrolled around the border that they were giving a piece of advice by major Kalipha Bajinga and Sarjo Jarju “to be careful obeying wrong orders.”
He said after the Jammeh’s regime launched an investigation into the incident and despite found that Sanna Manjang lost his pistle still denied any wrongdoing.
