Officials of the ongoing Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) have on Tuesday, 2nd April 2019, visited the Fajara Barracks, the Juvenile Wing of the Old Jeshwang Prison and a secret detention center created by the defunct state intelligence agency (NIA) at Old Jeshwang.
Led by its chairperson, Dr. Lamin J. Sise, the TRRC delegation were taken on a conducted tour of the Ante-Room, the Guard Room, the old Cook House, the gates (the four entrances of the camp), the Centry, the building used as a garage, etc at the Fajara Barracks.
The delegation was 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 TRRC Commissioners, RSM Fatty said he was an eyewitness of the November 11, 1994 mass execution of soldiers. In his explanation, Fatty said on the 10th November 1994, he saw Lieutenant Sanna Sabally came to the Fajara Barracks with the AFPRC Military Council members and some soldiers. He disclosed that he witnessed the execution of the soldiers by Sabally and his men at the field in the Fajara Barracks on November 11, 1994. 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 saw 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 further revealed.
He said after 2 hours, Lt. Sanna Sabally and his men left the camp for Yundum Barracks, adding that all those who were killed were transported to the Yundum Barracks for burial.
“Have you participated in any torture of persons?” Dr. Sise asked RSM Fatty.
No sir, he replied and added: “I was trained by the Gendarmerie and I have never tortured any person.”
At the Jeshwang Prison
After the visit to Fajara Barracks, the TRRC entourage proceeded to the Juvenille and Adult Wings at the Old Jeshwang Prison. The delegation was received by the Deputy Director of the Gambia Prisons Services, Momodou Jarju; Commissioner of Prisons Haruna Jobe; and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Alhagie Jobe.
Leading the TRRC entourage into the prison, Commissioner Alhagie Jobe revealed that there are 116 cells in the prison. He disclosed that the Adult Wing contains 57 convicted prisoners and 45 people under remand, whereas the Juvenile Wing has only one convict and 12 under remand.
At the Remand Wing of the Adult Center
Commissioner Jobe told the TRRC team that the Remand Wing of the adult prisons has been renovated. The Remand Wing is divided into three segments. 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 under custody for a long period without appearing before the court. Some further complained that they missed their court dates because the authorities won’t take them to court. Some said they are still undergoing trial since 4 years ago. One of them revealed that he missed going to court for the past 9 months.
It was disclosed to the TRRC team that one Ansumana Minteh has spent 15 years in detention and he is still undergoing trial.
The TRRC delegation also visited the famous “Bamba Dinka” 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 later visited the detention center of the convicted prisoners. It was observed that inmates have their beds on the floor as well with old mattresses. Each of the beds has a bed net.
At the Juvenile Wing
At the Juvenile Wing, there is a school for the juvenile. 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 defunct 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 Director of Research and Investigation at the TRRC, Alagie Barrow, 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 delegation is expected to visit the Janjangbureh Prisons in the Central River Region today, Wednesday, 3rd April, 2019.
PHOTO TRRC Crew (PHOTO credit Yankuba Jallow)
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