INTRODUCTION

Barely a day after the events of 10 April 2000, FOROYAA published a letter
to the President on the events in a supplement dated 11 April 2000. The
letter is in essence a summing up of experience on the events. Those who
wish to know what happened on that day may read this issue.

Subsequent to this letter, more letters were written and upon application by
the Attorney General, the Chief Justice ordered an inquest by the Coroner
touching the death of 12 persons. The Coroner is Mr Ousman Jammeh who sits
at Court room number 1 of the High Court on daily basis.

Mr Jammeh has indicated that no one is stopped from coming forward to
testify. Indeed it is the responsibility of every citizen who has
information relating to the deaths of 12 victims to come forward and
testify. Those who have information are the ones to assist the Coroner in
arriving at the truth.

The Coroner started sitting on Monday, 24 April 2000 and by Friday 28 April,
it completed its first week of proceedings. So far the next-of-kins of 11 of
the victims have testified. Two pathologists have also testified in respect
of all the 12 victims. A police officer, Inspector Jobe has testified as
well. Their testimonies are to be found in FOROYAA of 27 April-2 May 2000.

In this supplement we publish the testimonies of some eye witnesses, namely
Momodou Sarr, a retired headteacher; Sheikh Ndow and Surahata Danso of
FOROYAA and Dr Omar Sam, pathologist.

The proceedings of
Thursday, 27 April 2000

The proceedings of Thursday, 27 April 2000 commenced at 10.56. The Coroner
apologised for the late start due to bereavement noting that a member of
staff of the High Court died and that they were busy. He said that they
would proceed with the next witness since the pathologist who should
continued his testimony is not around.

TESTIMONY OF MR MOMODOU SARR

Coroner: What are your names?
ANSWER: Mr Momodou Sarr.
Q: Where do you live?
A: I live in Serrekunda, near Bambo.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: I am a retired headmaster on contract with Serrekunda Primary School.
Q: What is your length of service?
A: I started teaching in 1960 and retired in December, 1999.
Q: This Coroner's Inquest is related to the events of 10 and 11 April 2000,
and as a voluntary witness, what is your testimony?
A: I was coming from Farato on Monday, 10 April 2000 through Latrikunda
Mampatokoto and Bundung when I noticed the traffic being diverted. I
enquired and was told that there was a student unrest. I then asked the
driver to stop and let me come down. I disembarked and started walking
towards the police station when I was stopped and asked by a paramilitary
personnel where I was going and to go back to where I came from. I then told
him that I am the overall chairman of the parents/teachers association in
Banjul and also a headmaster and that what was going on is my concern. The
officer then allowed me to pass through and I arrived at the junction near
the Serrekunda Police Station and market where I saw a group of police
officers who, upon enquiry, told me that there was a students unrest. It was
then that I started wondering where I could see the students' body in order
to talk to them, as I was told they were scattered everywhere.
I then stood there for about 30 minutes when the Secretary of State for the
Interior and the Armed Forces Chief of Staff arrived at the junction asking
for the whereabouts of the students. Suddenly, I saw people running towards
us from the Serrekunda West end and who gave the information that a larger
student crowd is coming from there towards the police station. It was then
that the paramilitary who were there with us and armed decided to go to
confront them. The Secretary of State told them not to go. The Secretary of
State, Colonel Jatta and myself then left to go and meet this crowd.
As we reached near the Musukebba Junction, whilst walking we were then
facing a large crowd coming towards us. I then asked both the Secretary of
State and the Chief of Staff to walk behind and I started waving my hands as
a sign of peace to the group. And as we were about 5 to 6 metres apart, the
group of students stopped and I asked them to stay where they were. I then
started telling them that I have with me the SoS for the Interior and the
Army Chief of Staff, and it took me about 30 to 40 minutes to ask them to
keep quiet.
And after they did, I then introduced myself to them as most of them knew me
and they all clapped. I then asked them to sit down on the ground which the
younger ones complied with. I then told them that 'You see these people with
me have a package for all of you. Just show them that you are students who
have maximum discipline.' I then turned and invited the Secretary of State
to address the students.
The Secretary of State then started talking to them but the moment he
mentioned about the demonstration being illegal then everything got spoilt.
Pandemonium ensued immediately on the spot. I attempted to appeal for calm
and patience but among the crowd were non-student elements who started
hurling stones and broken bottles at us. I then decided to retreat from this
very large crowd and also saw the SoS grabbing two school girls from the
group with both hands to avoid being stoned and escape with them. That's all
I have for 10 April 2000 since my attempt to go to Banjul that day proved
unsuccessful as vehicles were not allowed to move about.
However, on 11 April, 2000 I went to Banjul and started to visit the two
detention centres where they told me students were kept. I first visited the
Old Police Barracks but could not make out the names of those detained.
While there, I saw angry anxious and confused parents tracing their detained
children. I then went to the Banjul Police Station and later the RVH where I
met the sister on duty whom I asked to help me with names of victims
admitted. I went to the mortuary and was allowed to pass through the
barricade as I introduced myself to the guards. I then inspected the bodies,
but there were no names on them, only numbers. I also appealed to the Dr
Sam, pathologist-in-charge, to allow parents to satisfy their curiosity to
inspect bodies. He agreed but said that the autopsies were not completed. It
was very difficult to talk to the parents who were very angry as they were
prevented by the security from seeing the bodies.

Coroner: You said your negotiations with the students got broken down and
then pandemonium ensued; so that was all you've seen?

Sarr: Yes.

Coroner: Does any of the next-of-kin of the deceased have any questions to
ask Mr Sarr?

Bojang: I am father of Abdoulie Bojang. I would want to ask whether this is
all that you have to say. I want to know what you have seen happened after
the Musu Kebba Junction incident?

Sarr: I saw nothing; I left for home immediately after that.

Bojang: You appeared helpful, but can you further help the Coroner with any
information leading to the circumstances of death of these students?
Argument erupted between witness and Bojang and Coroner intervened to urge
witness to help court.

Sarr: That is all I know.

Bojang: I doubt your testimony.

Coroner: Thank you, Mr Sarr.


TESTIMONY OF SHEIKH NDOW

Coroner: What are your names?
A: Sheikh Ndow.
Q: Where do you live?
A: I live in Manjai.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: I am a journalist working with the FOROYAA Newspaper.
Q: For how long have you been with this medium?
A: Since 1987.
Q: What is your testimony on events relating to 10 April 2000?
A: Around 9 a.m., I was at home when I heard gun shots. I was curious to
know what was going on. As a journalist I went out in search of information.
When I went to the Manjai and Latrkunda/Dippakunda Junction, I noticed a
group of people who were highly agitated. When I asked I was told that the
students were on demonstration. So I decided to follow the crowd.
As I moved about 50 metres towards Latrikunda, I noticed a group of people
coming from Dippakunda end towards Latrikunda calling the students to wait
for them. The students alerted each other and they stopped. Among this group
I recognised the Secretary of State for the Interior; the Armed Forces Chief
of Staff, one Mr Sarr who introduced himself as the chairman of the
parents/teachers association in Banjul and about three soldiers including a
soldier woman.
When the students stopped, Mr Sarr introduced himself and then told students
that the Secretary of State wanted to talk to them. When the SoS started
speaking he said that the students should first of all have requested for a
permit for the demonstration but which they did not get. He asserted to them
that the demonstration was unlawful; that they should just disperse and go
home; that everything was now over. Once he said this, stones started
raining on him; and himself, Mr Sarr and the woman soldier all ran for
safety.
The Armed Forces Chief of Staff took cover under a verandah where he started
appealing to the students to reason out with him. The students insisted that
they wanted to him to go with them to the GTTI to have a discussion to
resolve the problem.
On the way, as we moved towards Cedar Club, some students started throwing
stones towards the direction of the Chief of Staff. In one incident, one of
his orderlies sustained a serious injury on the head caused by the throwing
of stones. He then agreed to go with them to talk to the paramilitary to
withdraw.
We went up to Cedar Club and took Kairaba Avenue heading towards Kanifing.
We went up to the Serrekunda Post Office Junction where we found an army
truck standing and there was a young man in handcuff sitting at the back of
the truck. The Armed Forces Chief of Staff ordered for the immediate release
of the young man, The students then became very happy and started chanting
'Jatta' 'Jatta' as a sign of their happiness. As a result of this, when some
students started throwing stones at the GAMTEL and GRTS and the Armed Forces
Chief of Staff appealed to them they stopped. And at this point some of the
students decided to hold hands together round him in order to provide human
shield for him.
We then moved up to the street near St. Therese's Junior Secondary School
and then turned left into Kanifing South and out again at the Red Cross Cafe
junction which took us to the Banjul/Serrekunda Highway towards the
paramilitary base.
As we approached the paramilitary base, I noticed about more than a dozen
paramilitary personnel lined up the road near the Mobile Traffic Unit
Office. They were armed. Students became more agitated and continued
chanting 'We don't need any paramilitary. We need peace and justice'. Then
between 10 and 15 metres away from the paramilitary line up, one KMC vehicle
coming from the blue swerved infront of the crowd and a soldier from inside
alighted. There were also about two or three ladies who were not properly
dressed inside the vehicle. The women chanted 'We want peace'. The vehicle
then disappeared with the women.
At this moment, I noticed that two stones were thrown infront from the back
and all of a sudden the paramilitary opened fire and started shooting at
random. Then everybody decided to run and the Chief of Staff continued
towards the paramilitary base.
I then decided to move further down on the road and stood near a tree
between CFAO and Gambega. I then saw two young people, a young man in blue
trousers and a young woman on the right side of the road towards Banjul. I
also saw another young person lying down on the ground around ICEMAN. The
young man in blue trousers tried to jerk his head once, twice and then fell
down motionless. I decided to move further to the Red Cross as they were
then moving towards that direction and continued firing.
As the students ran for safety some tried to get into Gambega but the gates
were closed and they then proceeded to the Red Cross Headquarters. I decided
to move towards the Old GPMB and took cover under a tree there. Firing by
the security forces continued and I saw one security officer continuously
shooting. From there I could realise that shots were going into the Red
Cross. So after about 20 minutes of shooting when they retreated, I went to
the Red Cross and there I met other reporters. I was able to conform that
one Red Cross Volunteer was shot and was seen lying there. From the Red
Cross I went straight to the Westfield Junction where looting was taking
place. From there I went to our Information Bureau to file in a report.

Coroner: You said that you saw about a dozen paramilitary officers lining
the road?
Answer: Yes, they were definitely more than a dozen.
Q: How do you know that the one who alighted from the vehicle was a soldier?
A: He was in camouflage uniform which I believe is worn by soldiers.
Q; Did the soldier who came down from the vehicle fire any shots?
A: I am not really sure about that.
Q: You said the paramilitary were lining which road?
A: They lined the smaller road on the right side towards Banjul near the
Mobile Traffic Unit.
Q: Did you notice what types of arms were being used?
A: They are guns likely to be AK47s.
Q: Did you notice any group from other branches of the security forces?
A: No, I only saw the paramilitary officers.
Q: But after the throwing of stones you saw shooting?
A: Yes.
Q: You saw a young man in blue trousers attempting to raise his head, who
later become motionless?
A: Yes, he was in blue uniform.
Q: Did you see the paramilitary with any other gears other than guns?
A: Apart from helmets and guns, I did not see them with any other gears.

Coroner then asked whether any next-of-kin was around who had any question.

Mr Abdoulie Bojang: I have only two questions to ask the witness. The first
victim in blue trousers you saw who died, is my son.
Q: Whilst following the crowd, did you observe any guns with the students?
A: None of the students was armed.

Mr Benjamin Carrol (father of one of the deceased)  said that Mr Ndow
mentioned seeing two people fell down when shooting started; that he further
said that he saw one of them raising his head twice. He then asked: Can you
tell me whether it was possible for anyone to have rendered any kind of help
to the victims at that time? Not necessarily you but anybody?
A: Well, at the time there was intense and random shooting by the security
forces and that any attempt to help those shot at could have been perilous
to that individual giving assistance.
Carrol: Thank you.
Coroner: Thank you for the testimony Mr Ndow.
The Coroner further indicated that this is a public gathering and that no
one is stopped to come forward to give testimony. The proceedings were then
adjourned till the following day, Friday, 28 April, 2000 at 9.30 a.m.

PROCEEDINGS OF FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 2000
Testimony of Surahata Danso

Coroner: What are your names?
A: Surahata Danso.
Q: Where do you live?
A: Fajikunda.
Q: What do you do?
A: I am a journalist with FOROYAA newspaper.
Q: What do you have to tell the court relating to the events of 10 April
2000?
A: On 10 April 2000 at about 8 a.m. while I was at the FOROYAA Information
Bureau at Churchill's Town there was a telephone call from someone informing
us that the students were being brutalised at the GTTI by the security
forces. I was then assigned to go out to see what was happening.
When I went to the junction near the Shell Filling Station at Churchill's
Town I saw people running from the Westfield end. I then ran towards that
end and when I arrived at the Mandela Cinema I heard the first gunshots.
On moving on the highway towards Westfield and on arriving at the junction
leading to the Serrekunda Market, I saw a group of paramilitary personnel
equipped with riot gears, holding batons and fibre shields. Among the group
I could remember seeing a very tall and dark in complexion officer with a
stick and was beating a school girl in a black skirt. These paramilitary
officers followed the students on that road towards Serrekunda.
I then moved to the Westfield Junction where I found a larger paramilitary
group in riot gears with batons and shields. While standing there some
paramilitary officers started firing in the air and then the students also
started throwing stones. I also realised the diversion of the traffic from
banjul as passengers were being dropped there.
Another group of students was seen coming from Kairaba Avenue when the
paramilitary officers rushed towards them and the hurling of stones
intensified. A live electric overhead wire dropped on the Kairaba
Avenue/Serrekunda Highway and I saw a man using wood to try to remove it
from where it fell. I moved towards that end and then the paramilitary
chased the students into Kairaba Avenue. The throwing of stones and firing
intensified as the paramilitary charged towards the students.
I then decided to walk through Kairaba Avenue up to the junction of
Latrikunda near Cedar Club. There I found a military truck which had some
students in it at the back. Just under the water tanks there was seen a
young man arrested and who works there as a bicycle mechanic. I saw him
being severely beaten and then ordered to climb into the back of the truck.
Even after climbing some went up and continued beating him. The truck then
left heading towards Kanifing and stopped right at the junction of the
Serrekunda Police Office.
While standing there, I saw the Armed Forces Chief of Staff with a group of
students coming from the Cedar Club end towards us. The students were seen
raising a white flag and were chanting 'Peace! Peace!  We do not want the
paramilitary'. When they came up to the truck they demanded for the release
of their fellow students on board the vehicle. Then they were asked to
alight the truck except the young man in handcuff. The key was asked for and
a policeman responded that it was with one officer who was not there. It was
then that the Army Chief of Staff, upon seeing a key with this police
officer, forcefully snatched it and then opened the handcuff. When the young
man got down the students became so enchanted and started chanting 'Jatta!
Jatta'. He continued with the students towards St. Therese's School.
When we reached St., Therese's School, we heard a big noise at the
Serrekunda/Kairaba Avenue Junction end. I then went to that area and learnt
that there was a scene. At the scene, I saw a safe on which a security
personnel was standing and holding a gas carnister in his hand.
From there, I then saw and followed the Chief of Staff and the students
going back from where they came from, but then turned right into Kanifing
South and then out again on the Banjul/Serrekunda Highway near the Red Cross
Headquarters. While the Chief of Staff and the students were on the left
main road I crossed and took the right side lane along KMC. I went up to the
fence of 'Babaro' timber supply company and what was the former Chinese shop
and realised a group of paramilitary personnel who were armed and standing
just after the gate of the Mobile Traffic unit.
As the students and the Army Chief of Staff moved a few metres away from the
ICEMAN junction, I then heard gunshots coming from the direction of the
paramilitary towards the group. Then there was stampeding as the students
started running towards different directions for the safety of their lives.
As they scattered the Chief of Staff too ran into the Mobile Unit. The
firing continued and some of the students were running towards the direction
of Red Cross, some towards ICEMAN and others still towards the side road
between the Mobile Unit and the Chinese shop into New Jeshwang.
As the shooting continued, I decided to go under the verandah of this former
Chinese shop to take cover. It was whilst standing there that I saw just
opposite me on the main highway three bodies lying on the ground. At the
bracket leading towards the paramilitary base, I also saw a boy and a girl
lying down there and again another two bodies were seen over there lying on
the ground very near ICEMAN. The ones very close to me on the highway could
be heard screaming and blood was also seen flowing from their bodies. After
a while I did not see any of the bodies making movement except that if the
girl who it appeared was hit in the hand as she was seen holding up one arm
with the other while lying down on the side road. Then a little while later
when firing stopped I saw Red Cross Volunteers coming to the scene to pick
the bodies and at which time I got the courage to come out of the verandah
under which I was standing. I went and stood under the biggest of the four
trees facing the Mobile Unit base. It was there that I overheard a Red Cross
Volunteer saying in Wollof Omar too has been shot. I then asked him which
Omar and was told Omar Barrow. Due to my relationship with Omar Barrow I
immediately rushed to the Red Cross Headquarters. And as I arrived I saw
some volunteers moving him inside from the corridor of the entrance at the
main gate. I tried to see him but the Volunteers at the gate insisted that
no one was allowed inside. I then saw blood where he was lying and moved
from.
From there, I saw a group of students moving towards the Mobile Unit
Headquarters and I got out to follow then. The students were shouting that
they were all prepared to die since some of their fellows have already been
killed. I then came between them and the paramilitary and told them to think
of something else rather than saying that they were all prepared to die. The
students were in that angry mood when I then saw some security officers in
white  shirt and another in uniform armed charging towards the students. The
one in uniform and who was armed started insulting the students and when I
intervened to ask him not to display such an angry mood in such a tense
situation, he retorted that I should not talk to him. And when I later asked
about the identity of the officer, I was told that his name is Ceesay Njie.
I also noticed another group of senior officers, among whom I could
recognise the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of
Police and '13 Badjie' who was dressed in a yellow type of suit. I was
trying to identify who those paramilitary shooting were from the students
and i learnt that one Alieu and Lamin were among.
Then some of the students agreed with me and we together started pushing the
others backwards towards the Westfield end. When we reached Westfield
junction there again quarrel started between the students and the security
forces but no one was throwing stones or firing. I then decided to go back
to our Information Bureau to write a report about the incident.
On Wednesday, 12 April 2000, I was again assigned to go to the mortuary
where we were told that the bodies had not been released. When I reached
there I went straight to the table of the man in charge of the mortuary. One
old man called Pa Sarr was responsible and to whom I introduced myself.
While sitting inside there a gentleman who was identified as detective
inspector came and started issuing out death certificates. I could remember
seeing the father of the late three year old Abdoulie Sanyang signing a
certificate from the Inspector. I also remember one Abdoulie Bojang being
issued with a death certificate. Then Mr Sarr saw me writing and asked me to
go out of his office. I went out and he followed me demanding that I should
move by 100 metres away from the mortuary and went for a soldier to throw me
out. When the soldier came to me I insisted that I have a right to
information. Afterwards two armed men were brought to the mortuary to
control people. Then after Omar barrow's body was received, I decided to
leave in order to attend his funeral.

Coroner: You mentioned that you saw three bodies in front of you, two near
the paramilitary base and two others near ICEMAN, all in all making them
seven?
Surahata: Yes.

Coroner: Does any next-of-kin have any questions for the witness?
Abdoulie Bojang: I only have two questions.
1. While following the Chief of Staff with the students along the route, did
you at any time see him use a mobile phone either making a call or receiving
a call?
A: You know I was at a distance and he was being surrounded by students, I
could not know.
Q: Do you think that the life of the Chief of Staff was endangered by the
students?
A: Not at all. The students were happily walking along the route with him.
Coroner: Thank you for the testimony, Mr Danso.


TESTIMONY OF DR SAM ON THE UNIDENTIFIED BODY

The Coroner asked Dr Sam who did the identification of the body before the
postmortem took place.
Dr Sam indicated that he did it by himself.
He further indicated that the body was 1.4 metres in length and that there
was a wound on the thigh which measured 40X25mm; that it was 100mm above the
knee.
He said at the time the postmortem had to be done due to the following
reasons: refrigeration problems; that people who lost their children were
waiting impatiently; that the IGP requested for the body to be postmortem
because of the need for death certificate.
Dr Sam finally submitted that the victim died because of the injuries due to
the massive haemorrhage. He said the victim might have been in a sitting or
lying posture. He said the wound could only be caused by a high velocity
live bullet.

QUESTION: Could the victim be saved if he had an early medical attention?
In answer to the question, the doctor confirmed this.
Q: Who is normally responsible for issuing out death certificates?
A: Dr Sam said it is the duty of the one in charge of the mortuary.

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