Haddy Touray
Modou Ngum, a survivor of the April 14th, 2016, protest for electoral reforms and term limits, has recounted his harrowing experience during the peaceful demonstration that led to the death of Gambian activist Solo Sandeng.
Speaking at the Youth Monument during the 2025 commemoration of Sandeng’s death, on Monday, April 14, 2025, Ngum accused the President Barrow-led government of neglecting victims of the former regime for political interest.
“We first gathered at the UDP Manjai Bureau and agreed to proceed with the protest despite not having a police permit,” Ngum said. “We started at Bambo and marched to Cooperative, where police officers from the Serekunda Station stopped us.”
Ngum explained that they informed the officers their leaders were Solo Sandeng, Lang Marong, and Falang Sonko. The police, angered by the group’s defiance, began arresting them. Thirty-five people were detained, including Ngum, Fatoumata Jawara, Nogoi Njie, and Solo Sandeng.
Ngum said Sandeng was transported separately to Kairaba Police Station. In contrast, others were taken to the PIU Headquarters, stripped of their belongings, including banners that read: “We need proper electoral reforms,” “Jammeh Must Go,” and “Gambians are hungry.”
He revealed that former top officials, including IGP Yankuba Sonko, NIA Director Yankuba Badgie, and Interior Minister Ousman Sonko, visited them and accused the group of plotting a coup. Nogoi Njie denied the claim, insisting the protest was peaceful.
Ngum said five of them, himself, Sandeng, Njie, Kafu Bayo, and Ebrima Jabang, were later taken to the NIA on Ousman Sonko’s orders for “VIP treatment,” a code for torture.
At the NIA, Ngum recalled horrifying torture. Both Sandeng and Njie had their hands broken for refusing to sign false statements. They were shown disturbing torture videos, including one of Imam Baba Leigh, before Sandeng was beaten, suffocated, and killed.
Ngum described severe abuse inflicted on all detainees, including threats of death, beatings, and degrading conditions until their transfer to Mile Two on May 6, 2016.
He lamented that some parties, including the NRP and PPP, withdrew from the protest out of fear. When questioned by the NIA, protesters concealed their names to protect themselves.
Ngum condemned President Barrow’s administration for ignoring the victims’ sacrifices, criticizing the appointments of former regime loyalists like Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Seedy Njie, Ousman Sowe, and others, which he said insult the memory of those who suffered under Jammeh.
Other speakers, including Falang Sonko and Fatou Camara, echoed similar experiences of torture and neglect.
