Soldiers say ex-President Jammeh ordered blaze of independent newspaper

Banjul, Gambia (PANA)  -  A soldier of the Gambia armed forces, Yusupha Bojang Sanneh, Wednesday told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission that former President Yahya Jammeh gave the burning order of the Independent newspaper.

The Independent newspaper came under arson attack in 2006 after being critical about the regime of former President Jammeh, and has since not been functioning.

Sanneh, 43, said they arrived at the defunct Independent newspaper at around 3 a.m. and Jammeh’s top General Sul Badje told four of them that “this is an order from the president Yahya Jammeh that Independent Newspaper supposed to be burnt”.

He said General Sul Badjie “gave them a gallon containing fuel and ordered them to burn the newspaper” but Sanneh claimed he didn’t take part in burning the newspaper, saying: “I used my trick to Sul Badje and said I had a knee problem and I wouldn’t be able to run.”

Sanneh, who was a member of Jammeh’s commandos, told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission: “I heard him say yes sir and in the military any time you hear yes sir, is used on only the former president Yahya Jammeh”.

He added that Sanna Manjai, who is currently at large, sustained burning injuries as they set the newspaper on fire, adding: “Su Badjie and I helped Sanna Manjang to put off the fire on his shirt.”

He however said after the Independent newspaper incident that he was finally left out any assignment with the group and paced as only a guard.

Sanneh told the commission that as they were selected to conduct patrols around the border that they were giving a piece of advice by major Kalipha Bajinga and Sarjo Jarju “to be careful obeying wrong orders”.

He said after Jammeh’s regime launched an investigation into the incident and, despite finding out that Sanna Manjang lost his pistol, he still denied any wrongdoing.

-0-   PANA      MSS/RA    23Oct2019