Former Vice Chairman Sana Sabally and former Defence Minister Edward Singhatey of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) who fall apart on January 27, 1995 were brought together on Wednesday by TRRC Chairman Dr. Lamin Sise to end a decades old bad blood.
As part of the TRRC mandate the two ex- Captain’s shook and asked for forgiveness to end a decades old bad blood.
The AFPRC deposed the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara government and banned opposition political activity. Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh, chairman of the AFPRC, became head of state.
Six month later, Captain Sadibou Hydara, who was the Interior Minister of the AFPRC, and Captain Sabally, deputy leader of the AFPRC, was accused by Jammeh of plotting a coup. Both men were arrested and detained at the maximum prison. Captain Hydara was tortured and killed in prison. Sabally was prosecuted by military court-martial and sentenced to nine years in prison.
“Edward, I cannot apologise much I cannot find the words to express the regrets of my contributions toward what you went through and what your family went through and I hope that you will be able to find deep in your heart to forgive me.
I pray that the almighty Allah will instil forgiveness to all of those who have been offended in one way of other
We have forgiven each other and I hope this will serve as a moment to those to come forward so that we can concentrate on developing our nation
Once again who ever and my brother suffer due to our actions jointly or individually please find it in your heart and forgive us.”
“Sanna, I did that from the day I left the prison at the gate I have say it clearly that I have forgiven all, even Yahya Jammeh if he is standing before me I will say the same thing and today on behalf of my family and myself I have forgiven completely wholeheartedly from my mind
On our behalf we are asking for your understanding and indulgency into the part of reconciliation and national building in as much as we have forgiven each other we are making it a larger scale for nationwide and diaspora we are asking for forgiveness from every individual and we hope that you will find it in your heart to give us forgiveness.”
Commissioner Jallow said this opportunity is the beginning of more reconciliation, adding that they are planning to meet people there and far and reconcile them because that is what TRRC have to do as a nation.
“We cannot afford for conflict to divide us we must learn to come together I hope this is a good example,” he said.
Dr. Lamin Sise, chairman said this is reconciliation between two individuals
