BREAKING NEWS:COUP IN THE GAMBIA-SENIOR ARMY OFFICERS ARRESTED!!!!
BY PA NDERRY M’BAI AND OUS CHAM
Gambia’s President has survived yet another coup attempt after the alleged perpetrators were rounded up last evening by loyal forces, well placed sources in the heart of the Jammeh administration told the Freedom Newspaper. The President who was on a visit to Mauritania, cut his visit short following intelligence reports he received that his government risked being toppled if he failed to return home as soon as possible, as some men of the army were posed to take over the country. The Freedom Newspaper, gathered that some senior and junior officers of the army had been arrested and are currently detained at the country’s main prison the Mile Two Central Prisons.
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It is reported that army Chief of Staff Ndure Cham, and other men of the Gambia National army have been arrested. One report also suggested that Peter Singhateh, brother to Edward Signhateh, who was believed to be in the US in recent times was among those rounded up. However, Peter’s arrest is yet to be independently confirmed. But what is clear though is that there was an alleged foiled coup attempt in Banjul Tuesday evening.
Shortly before the incident a sudden electricity black out was reported to have taken place in the tiny West African country, but later reinstated. Traffic was brought to total halt at the Denton Bridge crossing point, just near The Gambian capital Banjul. Armed security men will not allow travelers to cross to the city and intensive searches were conducted on vehicle plying the area.
It is also gathered that there is was high presence of armed men at the nation’s main telecommunication head offices GAMTEL Banjul. Sources say staffers without Identification cards were denied entry into the facility, while the rounding up of the alleged coupists continues.
The foiled coup, followed the unpaid allowances of Gambian soldiers who served as peacekeepers in the troubled region of Sudan. These aggrieved soldiers have in the recent past registered their grievances to the concerned authorities about what the soldiers called "the unnecessary delay in paying their hard earned allowances." It is report that Peter Singhateh led the said peacekeeping troop to Sudan. Up to the time of the said alleged foiled coup attempt, sources say the soldiers were not paid.
President Jammeh, is seeking reelection for a third term this coming October. He ruled the West African country for over eleven years. He toppled the government of Sir Dawda Jawara in July of 1994. Since the advent of his regime, the country had experienced about ten foiled coup. Beside lack of stability in the country, the Gambia is also faced with economic and political uncertainties.
In another development, the BBC also reported about Tuesday’s foil coup in The Gambia. Please read on…
Gambian president rushes home
President Jammeh took power in a coup and won elections in 2001
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has cut short a visit to Mauritania and returned home late on Tuesday. The French AFP news agency reports that his return follows the arrest of soldiers for planning to stage a coup. Journalists reported troop movements in the early hours of the morning. There are few other details, but the capital, Banjul, is reportedly calm. President Jammeh seized power in a 1994 coup and won a second term in 2001. He seeks re-election this year. There have been a number of high-profile army sackings in the past year or so. Late last year, Gambian police arrested three leading opposition figures in what the government said was part of a probe into a national security threat.
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SEE ALSO:
Country profile: The Gambia
04 Nov 05 | Country profiles
Gambia sacks 'abusive' army chief
30 Nov 05 | Africa
'Hitmen killed Gambia journalist'
06 Jan 05 | Africa
Gambia poll landslide
18 Jan 02 | Africa
Gambia's president wins election
19 Oct 01 | Africa
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Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 (Archive on Tuesday, April 25, 2006)
Posted by PANDERRYMBAI Contributed by PANDERRYMBAI
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