Gambia’s military high command has, in collaboration with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), arrested and detained 11 military officers at various units of the Gambia Armed Forces, a military spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
According to Col. Yaya Drammeh, those arrested had different ranks and were allegedly opposed to President Yahya Jammeh’s hold on to power after his mandate officially expires on January 19, 2017.
The Army spokesperson confirmed the arrest and detention of the senior officers but decline to comment further.
Officers arrested are: Captain Baboucarr Bah alias Van Damme, Captain Demba Baldeh alias Mbarode, Colonel Hena Sambou, Lieutenant Colonel Seedy Joof, Lieutenant Colonel (Mrs) Mai Touray, Major Yuspha Jammeh, Warrant Officer Nfansu Fofana, Warrant Officer Class One M.B. Sarr, Warrant Officer Class One Bangally, Sergeant Kemo Manneh and ex-staff Sergeant Dodou Touray
A source said those arrested were among military officers who called on Jammeh to step down and hand over power peacefully to Gambia’s President-elect Adama Barrow.
Another source said that five of those arrested were being held at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency in Banjul.
President Jammeh had earlier issued an executive order to the effect that nobody should be arrested or prosecuted due to acts or omissions in the pre-and post-electoral period between November 1, 2016, and 31 January 2017.
