Saihou Jallow, who one-time served as an aide to former President Yahya Jammeh has hit out at attackers on Farafenni army barracks as criminals – he told the TRRC.
A group of armed rebels in 1996, many of whom were Gambian dissidents, launched an offensive attack on the Farafenni army barracks and killed five Gambian army officers. The killed soldiers were Corporal Essa Keita, Private Ebrima Manneh, Staff Sergeant Lamin Badjie, Private Ebrima Bayo and Private Bakary Keita.
A statement obtained from the archives of Amnesty International stated that: “On 25 June 1997, the High Court of the Gambia sentenced to death the above-named four men. They were found guilty of treason for trying to overthrow the government. Amnesty International fears the execution might be carried out shortly after 25 July 1997. The four men had been arrested after an attack on the Farafenni military camp by an armed group in eastern Gambia, the country’s second largest military camp, on 8 November 1996. During the attack, six soldiers died and five were injured. The prisoners have 30 days to appeal against the conviction.
“However, two weeks after the trial, Amnesty International has not received any information that they have appealed against their conviction. Amnesty International is therefore concerned that the four men might not be able to appeal within the time limit permitted by law, and could be executed after 25 July, the last date for the submission of their appeal. After the attack on the Farafenni military camp in November 1996, five men were arrested, the four named above and another man, Yaya Drammeh. Yaya Drammeh died in detention on 25 May after having been briefly treated in a hospital. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. While the government reportedly stated that he died from blood disorder, septicemia, other reports claim that he might have been tortured,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, in his concluding remarks, Saihou Jallow said: “It’s rather unfortunate criminals like Mballo Kanteh who killed young innocent Gambian soldiers who were defending the country are branded Hero’s and the Death of my brothers in uniform is ridicule in a Public hearing.”
“To add salt to the injury, instead of asking about their families, Mballo Kanteh was asked about his son. I find this totally disrespectful to the Gambia Armed Forces,” the ex-army captain said.
Meanwhile, he extended condolences to the families of the falling Heroes of Farafenni attacks and sought forgiveness from Gambian people “for any crime I have committed knowingly and unknowingly.”
However, he also advised Gambians to wisely vote in the upcoming December election and ensure they vote for “someone that will take us to the promise land.”
He also urged Gambians not to allow politicians to divide them as people, saying “never forget Gambia is the only country we call home and do not allow politics and politicians to divide us. May Allah continue to bless Gambia and I thank you all.”