(Thursday 17 October 2019 Issue)
Edward
Singhatey, the then vice chairman of Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council
(AFPRC) Wednesday told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission
(TRRC) that it was former junta member Sana Sabally, who first launched the 22
July coup in 1994 that toppled the government of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara.
“The
coup was launched by Lt. Sana Sabally. I was in my house sleeping when former
president Yahya Jammeh came and woke me up by shouting my name and throwing
stones on the roof of my house,” he said.
Singhatey
said Jammeh told him that Sana Sabally had called to inform him that he had
already broken into one of the armories and the coup was taking place and he
has to pick him and they move.
He
indicated that Sana Sabally and Sadibou Hydara got in their vehicle and
departed to take over Fajara Barracks, where they should break down the
communication; close the air and sea ports, while he and Jammeh will go and
takeover State House.
“At
the time of going to take over the State House, Jammeh wanted to opt out but I
gripped him and put him in the truck and sandwiched him not to escape. When we
reached Denton Bridge, we spoke to the commander there and crossed tactically.”
The
witness explained that when they reached Gambia High School, they found some
soldiers who ambushed them but he explained to them to join them because they
were there for the system.
“They
joined us and I divided the team into groups. Others used the back gate with
Jammeh and my group went through the front gate. We were armed with RPG7 and
machine guns.”
He
explained that when they entered and took over the State House, the first thing
they did was to gather all the security officers, explain to them and asked for
their cooperation.
He
said there was misunderstanding between them during the third meeting with
officers at State House when they were about to choose their leaders, where
Samusidin Sarr told them that it was their coup and they should go up stairs
and discus and later come back.
“We
went and looked at the leadership on who will be the head of state. I chose
Yahya Jammeh but Sana Sabally was not happy. Later, Jammeh said he wanted me as
his vice but I told him no because I needed to go back to the Barracks. Sana
was given the vice chairman post and I was defense, and I suggested Yankuba
Touray and he was made the minister of Local Government and Lands while Mamat
Cham was minister of Works”
On
the detention of security officers after the coup, the former junta strongman
confirmed that soldiers were arrested and detained at Mile 2, but he asked for
forgiveness for that action.
“Captain
Ebrima Kanji and Ndure Cham who were detained did nothing and they shouldn’t
have been arrested. For the case of Mamat Cham, Malick Njie, Samusidin Sarr,
Sheriff Gomez and Johnson, I got to know that they were planning a coup but
their matter was not investigated well.”
On
the arrest of OJ Jallow and others, he said he was not part of those who
arrested them, but he saw Sana Sabally’s truck with some soldiers. He added at
the remand wing, they were taken one after the other and beaten.
“When
I saw that, I decided to leave. I went straight to State House and when I
explained that to Jammeh, he laughed and I told him those people are elders and
he later called Sana to stop.”
On
the September 5 and 6 Mile 2 allegation, he confirmed going to Mile 2 at night
but never participated in any beatings or torturing. “We agreed to interview
some people who were alleged of planning a coup.”
He
highlighted that when they entered the Mile 2 prison, Mamat Cham was dragged
out of the cell, hit on his face and grabbed down by one of the officers who
used his rifle to hit him. “I also knew of Cpt. Ebrima Chongan, Sheriff Gomez
and RSM Abubacarr Jeng being beaten but I never participated.”
