Tuesday 22nd October 2019 Issue
A
one-time vice chairman of the military junta that toppled Gambia’s first
president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara in July 1994, has admitted to assaulting
party militants of the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) and the United
Democratic Party (UDP) by arresting, detaining and unlawfully beating them.
In
his third testimony before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission
(TRRC) on Monday, Singhatey said Omar A Jallow (OJ), Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and
MC Cham, and about 60 other people, among them women were arrested and
detained.
“The
Council members were told by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) that there
will be two demonstrations at the British High Commission and the US Embassy.
It was illegal and the Council ordered security heads to arrest those
involved.”
He
confirmed that the demonstrators were unlawfully arrested, beaten, detained and
tortured and apologized to his victims and their families.
“We
know that we have not only beaten you but also put you in bad conditions. What
happened to you was very painful and we cannot justify it,” Singhatey said,
adding that MC Cham and Ousainou Darboe have applauded him for his great achievements.
On
the detention and beating of some UDP supporters who were gathered to welcome
their party leader from a nationwide tour, Singhatey admitted he caused a lot
of pain on UDP militants, further acknowledging that his university fee was
later paid by a UDP supporter.
“I
cannot deny the allegation of assaulting them because I was there but I don’t
think somebody will say I have beaten him or her.”
Singhatey,
who became a legal practitioner years after falling out with former President
Yahya Jammeh emphasized that the political fight started during President Sir
Dawda Kairaba Jawara’s time. “I am asking all my victims to forgive me because
I was young at the time, at age 25.”
Explaining
the arrest and detention of his partner, Sana Sabally, junta coupist and also
former vice chairman of the Council,
Singhatey said Jammeh sacrificed a ram amid attack from Sana.
“Jammeh
once called Sana for a talk at his office but Sana called Sadibou. He called
for the second and third times but Sana said he will not come without Sadibou.
I and Jammeh agreed that if he should come with Sadibou, they may do something
and we briefed the orderlies. When they arrived, I arrested them and found
weapons with live rounds in their possession. I think he was ready to fire.”
He
said both Sabally and Hydara were disarmed and taken to Jammeh’s office and
their orderlies were also arrested.
He
confirmed putting them in a pickup car and taking them away to Mile 2 Central
Prison. Theywere later prosecuted before the court, adding that Sadibou died
and Sana was convicted and sentenced for 9 years imprisonment.
He
said Jammeh did not show him anything that would indicate that Sana wanted to
plot a coup. “The insult Sana made to my elders in Gambisara had contributed to
our problems,” he said.
According
to Singhatey, when Jammeh wanted to retire from the army and concentrate in
politics, Lamin KabaBayo and Yankuba Touray came to him and told him that they
are going to stand by him and he too agreed and joined them. “We resigned from
the army and formed our own political party to continue our development
programs.”
Lead
Counsel EssaFaal reminded him of Demba Njie’s testimony, who he said, had told
the Commission that he (Singhatey) needed Sabally’s position and that was why
he played part in arresting him but Singhatey denied that.
