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| PHOTO Sanna B. Sabally (Photo Credit TRRC) |
By Ousman A. Marong
The former Vice Chairman of the AFPRC Military Junta in The Gambia, Sanna B. Sabally told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) that the main purpose of their (council members) military overthrow of the democratically elected government of ex-president Sir Dawda Jawara was because of the presence of the NATAG forces who took over the entire control and command of the Gambia National Army in 1994, coupled with political suppression in the country.
According to him, command in the army was directly coming from the NATAG forces, leaving the Gambian officers behind.
“ The Nigerian army commanded us anyhow without giving us any regard,” he said.
Sabally was testifying at the ongoing TRRC proceedings at the Dunes Hotel in Kololi. He revealed that they (the soldiers) took it upon themselves to stage a coup and that, they thought it was necessary to do away with the NATAG forces.
He disclosed that it took them almost 7 months discussing and planning how to go about with the coup. Sabally revealed that the formation of July 22, 1994, was planned by five of them, ie; himself (Sanna B. Sabally), Yahya Jammeh, Yankuba Touray, Sidibou Hydara, and Edward Singhateh. He said they informed 2nd Lt. Alfa Kanteh, Lt. Basiru Barrow, and Major Ndure Cham. He added that both Basirou Barrow and Ndure Cham rejected the idea of the coup and did not participate.
He highlighted that their last meeting before the July 1994 coup was held at the ex-president Jammeh’s residence in Fajara, and that, it was on the 20th July 1994.
The former Junta Vice Chairman Sabally further revealed that he was responsible for blocking of the telephone communications, and was also responsible for the supply of arms and ammunition.
“ Our first plan was to arrest ex-president Jawara at the airport, but it failed because Yahya Jammeh was disarmed at the airport,” he explained. He outlined that July 22, 1994, was their last day and it was a day of doing or die game because their names had already been mentioned in a planned coup.
According to him, they seized Radville Farm’s bus together with civilian vehicles and drove to Banjul where they found all the gates of the State House opened and from there they entered and occupied the presidential palace.
He revealed that they (coup plotters) swore to the Quran and Bible that they will rule for only 6 months and then hand over power to the civilians.
“ The Nigerian army commanded us anyhow without giving us any regard,” he said.
Sabally was testifying at the ongoing TRRC proceedings at the Dunes Hotel in Kololi. He revealed that they (the soldiers) took it upon themselves to stage a coup and that, they thought it was necessary to do away with the NATAG forces.
He disclosed that it took them almost 7 months discussing and planning how to go about with the coup. Sabally revealed that the formation of July 22, 1994, was planned by five of them, ie; himself (Sanna B. Sabally), Yahya Jammeh, Yankuba Touray, Sidibou Hydara, and Edward Singhateh. He said they informed 2nd Lt. Alfa Kanteh, Lt. Basiru Barrow, and Major Ndure Cham. He added that both Basirou Barrow and Ndure Cham rejected the idea of the coup and did not participate.
He highlighted that their last meeting before the July 1994 coup was held at the ex-president Jammeh’s residence in Fajara, and that, it was on the 20th July 1994.
The former Junta Vice Chairman Sabally further revealed that he was responsible for blocking of the telephone communications, and was also responsible for the supply of arms and ammunition.
“ Our first plan was to arrest ex-president Jawara at the airport, but it failed because Yahya Jammeh was disarmed at the airport,” he explained. He outlined that July 22, 1994, was their last day and it was a day of doing or die game because their names had already been mentioned in a planned coup.
According to him, they seized Radville Farm’s bus together with civilian vehicles and drove to Banjul where they found all the gates of the State House opened and from there they entered and occupied the presidential palace.
He revealed that they (coup plotters) swore to the Quran and Bible that they will rule for only 6 months and then hand over power to the civilians.
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