Gambia: Appeals Court frees soldiers accused of plotting coup against Barrow

Dec 21, 2020 - 18:37
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Gambia: Appeals Court frees soldiers accused of plotting coup against Barrow

At least eight soldiers convicted of treason in May 2019 by a military court in The Gambia have been freed by the country’s Appeals Court on Monday, overturning the decision of the General Court Martial.

The soldiers were arrested in 2017 for planning to overthrow the government of President Adama Barrow. The group was led by Captain Yahya Jammeh, a former military aide to former President Yahya Jammeh.

“Today, we have secured the acquittal and discharge of treason charges for our clients,” said Sheriff Kumba Jobe, Counsel for the freed soldiers.

“For the other offenses, the first, second and third appellants were acquitted and discharged.”

Jobe did not mention who those were and the nature of the “other offenses,” but could be referring to Captain Yahya Jammeh, Lt. Abdoulie Jarju, Lt. Yahya Jammeh, who were considered the ringleaders of the plot.

Captain Yahya B. Jammeh, accused of leading the plot to overthrow President Adama Barrow freed of treason conviction by the Appeals Court of The Gambia.

The military court in Yundum, some 22 miles south of the island capital, Banjul brought nine counts of charges against the soldiers. It sentenced seven of the accused to nine years in prison and one got three years.

Captain Yahya Jammeh, Lt. Abdoulie Jarju, Lt. Yahya Jammeh, Sgt. Babucarr Sanneh, Sgt. Malick Bojang, and Lance Corporal Abba Badjie and Private Mbemba Camara were handed the nine-year sentence, while Private Alieu Sanneh was given the three-year sentence.

Captain Yahya Jammeh and his men are accused of conniving on WhatsApp to overthrow Barrow’s government and reinstalling former President Yahya Jammeh, who has been in exile in Equatorial Guinea since losing elections to Barrow.

Gambian prosecutors said the soldiers plans included arresting cabinet ministers, the Chairman of the electoral commission, senior military officials, and attack military installations. They have denied these allegations throughout their trial.

After the conviction of the soldiers, they were also dismissed from the army. The dishonorable discharge meant they lost all their benefits. Jobe did not say if the men have been reinstated to the army, or if they will be.