Photo: GAF Officials.

GAF Decorates 18 Soldiers

By Ousman A. Marong

Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has on Friday, 10 January 2020 decorated eighteen (18) soldiers to various ranks.

The decoration ceremony was held at the  army joint headquarters in Banjul and was presided over by Massaneh Kinteh, Chief of Defense Staff alongside with his deputy Major General Yankuba Drammeh and host of senior soldiers.

The decorated soldiers rose to the ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, and Captain.

Amongst the decorated soldiers 10 were promoted to the ranks of Captain and the other 6 were promoted to the ranks of major while the remaining two (2) rosed to the ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel.

 "Effective leadership at all levels of command is the duty and responsibility of the officer core," said the army chief.

  

Addressing senior officers at the army joint headquarters in Banjul The army chief categorically put it to his men that promotion in the army goes with greater challenges.

"I expect you (the promoted soldiers) to face the difficulties with the right attitude," he cautioned.

He further challenged his men to prepare themselves in order to face the realities associated with their new ranks.

The army chief went on to advise the newly promoted officers to maintain the highest standard of discipline, loyalty, and commitment to national duty and to leave up to expectations.

“I do not doubt your abilities as officers and through your capacities we can make an impact on the reform process of the Gambia Armed Forces,” he stated.

Deputy CDS, Yankuba Drammeh, on the other hand, reminded the officers of their oath.

“This is a very strong oath that we (soldiers) normally take. I believe you will keep up to the promises.  Promotion in the Military is not about mere decoration it goes with additional responsibility with commitment," he said.

A promoted Soldier.

Lieutenant-Colonel Abdoulie Manneh, speaking on behalf of his fellow promoted officers said “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

 

The promoted soldiers also echoed a similar sentiment saying promotion in the army is based on hard work and that hard work goes with promotion.

He hailed President Barrow as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces (GAF) and CDS Kinteh in their quest in promoting them (the soldiers).

The promoted soldiers took seven different oaths which are oaths of office, secrecy, trust, allegiance to the commander in chief of the Gambia Armed forces (GAF), allegiance to the state and allegiance to the people of the Gambia.

Deputy CDS Drammeh Cautioned Soldiers Not To Be Political

PHOTO Deputy CDS Drammeh. (Photo Credit Online)

By Ousman A. Marong

Deputy CDS Yankuba Drammeh has on yesterday called on the Gambia National Army (GNA) to restrain themselves from politics. Major general Yankuba Drammeh was speaking as the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) elevates over 74^th none commission personnel’s of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) to various ranks. Major general Drammeh challenged the soldiers to raise the alarm where necessary on any issue that threatens the peace and security of the nation. The decoration of the military personnel’s into various ranks was a sign of honor and reward for performance for the newly promoted official guard's battalion. A total of 74^th personnel’s have been elevated to various ranks.

Major Yahya Darboe is the commanding officers of the guard's battalion, he revealed that his unit had gone through a series transformation over the past 3-years. He, therefore, reminded his men to always set exemplarily behaviors, adding that he whom much is given much is expected. He cautioned those who are not yet promoted to work hard and not to see themselves differently. He further called the promoted men and women to continue to serve the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) with distinction. He reminded them of their responsibilities in the army.

He disclosed that the year 2019 is a year of transformation, reorientation and the reorganization of the army, were military personnel’s are expected to maintain the high standard and discipline to traject the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF). He cautioned soldiers to stay away from politics and to raise the alarm as to when necessary on issues that dear threatens the peace and stability of the country. Staff Sergeant Bakary Ceesay one of the promoted soldiers hailed the Gambia Armed Forces and highlighted that one of their functions is to protect the lives and territorial integrity of the nation.            

          

Ex-Jungular Denise Involvement In Torture Of Victims at the NIA

By Ousman A. Marong

Alleged ex-Jugular Lamin Senghore(Photo Credit TRRC) 

Lamin Senghore, an ex-member of the former president’s hit-squad known as the jungulars of the defunct National Intelligence Agency (NIA) now changed to SIS, has denied participating in any torture of civilians and soldiers arrested by the previous government.

“Sir I can tell you that I have never participated in any beating or torture of civilians and soldiers during their interrogation at the NIA,” he remarked.
He revealed that he has never seen or participated in any torture or beating during his services as the security officer at the Gambia Armed Forces and at the NIA or the NDEA (drug squad).
Senghore, nicknamed “The Assassin”, made these remarks on the ongoing Truth, Reconciliaton and Reparations Commission (TRRC) at the Dunes Hotel in Kololi.
Further testifying on the allegations of torture of soldiers at Mile 2 prison, Senghore admitted being part of a group of soldiers headed by then Sergeant Alagie Martins (Brig. Gen). He said Martins led the team of torturers but he has never tortured any person at Mile 2 prison.
“They were tortured by kicking, slapping and beating,” the witness confirmed.
He said it was at this time he pleaded to Martins to allow him to take charge of RSM Baboucar Sanyang (now a Lieutenant-Colonel in the GAF), RSM Fatty and one Musa Colley.
“I did not torture them,” the witness said.
A video of RSM Sanyang’s testimony before the TRRC was played where he was giving an account of his torture at Mile II prison by Martins and his men including the witness.
“His (Sanyang’s) testimony is incorrect,” the witness said adding that as far as he could remember, he has only witnessed the torture of the first-badge of detainees at Mile II by Martins and his men.
“The Assassin means killer. You claimed that you have never participated in any torture or killing, yet they call you “The Assassin,” it means you don’t deserve the name “assassin,” the Lead Counsel Essa Faal told the witness.
“Yes. I have never participated in the killing or torture of any soldier,” the witness replied.
He said some years after the November 11, 1994 incident, he was part of a team of soldiers trained on counter-terrorism. He said the training lasted for about 4 months.
“Was that the jungulars training,” asked the Lead Counsel.
“Yes, it was,” the witness responded, adding that they were not taught to be killers but neutralize a defensive mechanism.
With a series of questions and answers between the Lead Counsel and the witness, he admitted that they were trained to be killers.
“I have never participated in the jungulars operations,” the witness stated.
He said in the year 2007, he joined the National Intelligence Agency as a security guard and later was promoted to be an operative under the Operations Unit at the NIA under one Edrisa Jobe popularly known as Alagie Morr.
“I have never participated in the torture of any person at the NIA,” the witness repeated, adding that he left the NIA and joined the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency- Gambia (NDLEA).
He said at the Drug Squad, he has never participated in the torture of any person. Senghore told the Commission that he has never done any trainings in relation to interrogation.
“How would you rate your success then?” Counsel Faal inquired.
“The rate of my success was very high,” the witness replied.
It was at this point that the Lead Counsel emphasized to the witness that lying before the Commission has consequences and if it is found out that he was lying, then he will face the consequences for lying.
“Would you maintain your testimony?” the Lead Counsel asked.
“Yes. I maintain my testimony as correct,” the witness replied.

Gambia: Former GNA Officer Alagie Kanyie Testifies in FJC & Yankuba Touray's Case

By Ousman A. Marong A former soldier of the Gambia National Army (GNA) Alagie Kanyie has on Friday, March 22, 2019, testified in the ongoing trial of Yankuba Touray, ex-minister and a member of the AFPRC military junta; and Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, (FJC) an ex-Speaker of the National Assembly, at the Kanifing Magistrate's Court. The two accused persons, Yankuba Touray and FJC are jointly facing 3 counts of criminal charges, contrary to the laws of The Gambia. When the case was called before Principal Magistrate Isatou Janneh of the Kanifing Magistrate's Court, police prosecutor ASP Almameh Manga appeared for the Inspector General of Police whilst Lawyer Abdou Aziz Sissoho represented the accused persons. When the new charges were read, both accused persons denied the charges. According to the particulars of offence; the accused persons are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit felony, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code and each of them face a single charge of interfering with information or witness, contrary to Section 36 (a) of the TRRC Act. The particulars of offence stated that the two accused persons agreed among themselves to influence, discourage or stop one Alagie Kanyi, a potential witness from testifying before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Testifying before the court as the first prosecution witness (PW1), Alagie Kanyi said he is working with the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) and he is a native of Jarra Sankuya in the Lower River Region (LRR). He said before working with the GID, he was member of the Gambia National Army (GNA). He told the court that he knew the first accused person Yankuba Touray in the army and recognized the second accused person as a former Speaker of the National Assembly. Narrating what transpired between him and the accused persons, Kanyi said there was a day in the month of January 2019, when he received a call from someone who identified herself as Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay. He added that the person who called him was speaking in Wollof and told him that it is Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay. Kanyi narrated that lady then told him that she recognized him at Edward Singhateh’s residence. Kanyi adduced that FJC referred to him as an orderly to Edward Singhateh and that she got his number from Yankuba Touray. He added that the lady also enquired whether the TRRC has called him (the witness). PW1 told the court that he responded that he was called by the TRRC in relation to the November 11, 1994 incident. Kanyi revealed that Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay told him not to mind them (The TRRC) and asked him whether his mother is alive. "I told her yes my mother is around and she told me to be doing good things for her so that she will pray for me," he said. The witness told the court that Fatoumata Jahumpa asked him where he was and he told her that he was in Soma going home to Sankuya. He said Fatoumata Jahumpa further asked her whether the number she called him on is the one he is using on WhatsApp and he responded in the affirmitive. Kanyi said Madam Jahumpa promised to send him something whenever she reaches Dakar because she was on a trip, adding that there was where their conversation ended. "When she cuts off the call, I then called her back and thanked her for the good advice. I told her that I need her advice because the TRRC is not easy," he said. He said the number he was using on WhatsApp is 7633692. He told the court that, this was his first conversation with Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay; adding that he has never had any previous communications with her. The witness said it was on the same day when Yankuba Touray called him around 9pm towards 10 pm and identified himself as Yanks with regimental number 10529. "He said is me Yankuba Touray and even told me his Army number which is 10529. I then respond to him yes sir because I recognized the voice and he told me did these people call you? I asked him which people. He then told me the TRRC," the witness narrated. He said Touray inquired whether he went to the TRRC and what issues did the investigators asked him. Kanyi said he responded that he was called by the TRRC but he was yet to be asked about the issues. He explained that thereafter, Touray told him don't mind them (the TRRC) and he Touray also enquired from him whether Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay called him because he gave her his number. Kanyi said he responded in the positive. “He (Yanks) told me don't mind them (the TRRC), these people are only here for two years and they will fuck off from there,” Kanyi testified. He said the following day when he called Touray to go first to the TRRC because he was their commander, ‘he told me don’t mind them’. The witness said that he then called Touray for the second time and asked about the people captured during the November 11 incident. He said Touray told him that those people dance to their own tune because their intention was to kill them (the AFPRC members). The matter was then adjourned to the 2nd and 5th of April 2019 at 2 pm and 10 am respectively for the continuation of hearing. Yankuba Touray flank on left, Alhagi Kanyi in the middle followed by FJC (photo credit Yankuba Jallow)