The Verdict
By Adama Hawa
The recent proposal by the UN Special Investigator on Torture to exclude armies accused of torture and abuse of human rights from peacekeeping operations is quite a sensible one. It is quite ironic for those who routinely torture the people they are not only paid to defend but to whom they are also related, to be deployed to defend the rights of people they are not even related to.
Jammeh & Musa Jammeh, Gambia's Chief Executioner
Of course, The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) falls under the category of armies that routinely torture civilians. It is quite an open secret that the GAF does not only engage in routine torture of civilians, but it has also got a special unit, headed by Major Musa Jammeh (Malyamungu), and which also included the late Tumbul Tamba and several other senior members of the army and security forces, whose primary role is to subject all those arrested in connection with opposition to the regime to psychological as well as physical torture.
Since the assumption of power by this regime, we have had several evidences of torture of defenseless civilians, including journalists and other members of the security forces, whose only crime had been to oppose or even criticize certain aspects of the regime. Apart from the numerous physical torture sessions they have been frequently engaged in, we have also witnessed an upsurge of murders and attempted murders of civilians and members of the security forces, no doubt carried out by them. Such examples include the cold-blooded extra judicial execution of several soldiers of the army after the so-called coup attempt in November 1994, Koro Ceesay, Sadibou Haidara, Yahya Drammeh, Almamo Manneh, Momodou Dumbuya, Omar Barrow, more than 14 school children in 2000, Deyda Hydara, about 50 Ghanaian and other West African immigrants, Daba Marena and four soldiers of the GAF in April 2006, Sheriff Minteh, as well as the attempt to kill Ousman Sillah, and quite lately, Lawyer Mai Fatty. We have also witnessed the torching of several media houses and the residence of Ebrima Sillah, former BBC Banjul correspondent, and yet there has never been any investigations carried out to ascertain whom the culprits were. We can therefore, easily conclude the reasons why the authorities would never investigate them and the numerous other atrocities, including the murder of Deyda Hydara and all the others before him
Indeed, these are just a few examples, but the list is much longer than this, particularly if it is to include those who have disappeared without any trace. They include Chief Ebrima Manneh of the Daily Observer, Councilor Rambo Jatta, Kanyiba Kanyi, Tamba Fofana and several others whose names I cannot now remember.
While one may argue that a few members of the GAF are committing these atrocities and as such, the whole army should not be punished for it, that is certainly not the case. The entire government machinery is involved in it, from President Yahya Jammeh down to all the senior officers of the army and other security forces. Those who have been following the evidence being given at the ongoing treason trials have heard about the numerous torture sessions being carried out at the NIA headquarters in the presence of Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba himself as head of the army as well as the other senior members of the security forces, including Major Ousman Sonko, who is now Secretary of State for the Interior and the Director General of the NIA and virtually all the other senior members of the army and other security forces.
Therefore, there is enough evidence that torture is an accepted policy of the GAF and as such, The Gambia should be the first country to be excluded from UN as well as African Union and all other peacekeeping operations. It is wrong to allow people who have no regard for the human rights of their own people to be sent abroad to protect the human rights of others.
Some Evidence of Torture
The following 10 testimonies of torture carried out on detainees, mostly those who are appearing in court in connection with the so-called coup attempt in March 2006 is enough evidence that the GAF is not morally fit to undertake such humanitarian functions. One would see that virtually the same people are featuring in all the torture sessions, and prominent amongst them are Musa Jammeh (Malyamungu) and the late Tumbul Tamba, both senior members of the GAF. We have also seen that the top hierarchy of the army and other security forces were present in many of those torture sessions.
Therefore, this is a clear indication that the Gambian army and security forces do not have the moral right to participate in any peacekeeping operations. Now we present the evidence:
1. ARRESTED TEENAGER ALLEGES TORTURE
A fourteen-year-old child (name withheld) was arrested on Tuesday evening by security officers.
He said at that juncture, the officers started beating him and was beaten on their way to the NIA headquarters. He said he was put in a cell, when they arrived at the NIA headquarters. Our reporter, who went to the boy’s home, said he had blood-shot eyes. The boy said these were due to the numerous slaps he received on the face.
Foroyaa 29 -31 May 2006
2. TAMSIR JASSEH ALLEGES TORTURE, THREATS
Tamsir Jasseh, the Former Director of Immigration, and a businessman, who currently faces charges of treason at the High Court, has testified before Justice Anin Yeboah on Wednesday, 2 May. Mr. Jasseh alleges that he was subjected to severe torture and threats before his statement was obtained.
According to Mr. Jasseh, he was arrested at his residence at Kotu on the night of 24 March 2006, at around 10 to 11pm. He said that he was woken up by a knock on his window and was told by his watchman that there are people who wanted to see him. He said that there were lots of gunshots in the air and banging on his door. He said that he came to the front door and saw a soldier standing with an AK 47 and that he recognized him as Warrant Officer Tumbul Tamba. “I then opened the door and saw my watchman screaming. He was being beaten by soldiers.” “Tamba told me that the watchman refused to obey them. Unfortunately they were speaking to the watchman in Mandinka who is a Nigerian and did not understand what they were saying. Tamba ordered them to stop beating him.”
Mr. Jasseh narrated that Tumbul Tamba told him that he was under arrest but that when he requested to know why he was under arrest he was told that he would know when they reach there. He said that he was taken to Mile Two Prison’s maximum-security wing at around midnight. He said that at around 2:30am he was escorted to the NIA headquarters by a group of young soldiers who wore nets over their faces. He noted that he was handcuffed and made to lay face up in a Land Rover pick up. Mr. Jasseh told the court that he was taken to a room with about 25 men and was asked by Musa Jammeh what he knew about the alleged coup and that he denied any knowledge about it. “After several questions they decided to tell me what I am supposed to know, questions were coming from all angles. There was a lot of disagreement among themselves, some are saying there was a coup and others are saying, it is only a mere suspicion.” Mr. Jasseh explained that he was told by Mr. Hydara, an NIA Officer, that word had reached the President that there was a coup plot. He said that Hydara then asked the soldiers to take him after he refused to write a statement. “As we come downstairs, we met the group that escorted me to the NIA and a black plastic bag was put over my head and I was escorted to the back of the building, and asked to kneel down. They were beating me and pouring very cold ice water on me and it lasted for twenty-five (25) minutes. All those moments they were asking me who were involved. They asked if the Vice President was involved, Cabinet members and Sheriff Dibba”, he explained. Jasseh indicated that the torturing group was being led by Musa Jammeh and including the late Tumbul Tamba, Lance Corporal Malick Jatta, Lance Corporal Mustapha Sanneh, Lance Corporal Michael Correa, Corporal Malick Jeng, Corporal Sana Manjang and Corporal Nuha Badjie. Mr. Jasseh said that he was later taken back to the panel and there Lance Corporal Malick Jatta took out a 9mm gun and stuck it in his mouth, and hold his cheeks, saying to him “Do you think you are in the United States?” Jasseh added, “I could smell his mouth which was stinking with Marijuana,” Mr. Jasseh said that it was then that he accepted to do what they wanted him to write. He said that Corporal Lamin Cham then came into the place with a piece of paper and told him that he was to write what he knew about the coup. He said that he told Lamin Cham that the procedures are not proper and that he needed a lawyer. He said that Lamin Cham told him “Sir, the police are only rubber stamps, we are not the ones running the investigations.” Jasseh noted that he wrote his statement at around 4:00am with Lamin Cham dictating him. He added that he never knew the independent witness Tijan Bojang and that he never saw him on that night. He said that, on several occasions, he would be escorted to the NIA. Mr. Jasseh said on the 25 March 2006, a group led by the late Tumbul Tamba took him to his residence. He said that his vehicle and some other properties were confiscated. He said that on 6 April he was taken to the NIA where he found Sheriff Dibba, Mr. Jawla and Mariam Denton, his lawyer. He noted that he did not know what Mariam Denton was doing there but that he knew that she was under arrest. “I was asked to write about those people but I refused. Warrant Officer Jabang and Hydara told me that if I don’t they will step out and soldiers will step in and I knew what that meant, I will be tortured and the last thing I would want was for the soldiers to step in,” he explained. He said he went ahead to write in the presence of Lamin Cham. He explained that on the 22 June 2006, he was escorted with four other accused persons, namely, Alieu Jobe, Omar Faal Keita, Bunja Darboe and M.A Bah. He said that he was asked to copy from another paper word for word. He said that he complained to them that he is under the remand of the court and that he requested for his lawyer, Lamin Camara. He said that they told him that if he does not write they would put him in the NIA Cell. Based on the threats, he said he decided to copy directly. He complained that he never wrote that statement voluntarily but that under force and fear for his life. He noted that he never knew the independent witness Babou Loum prior to his testimony in court. He narrated that the day he was taken before GRTS he was asked to read out his statement five (5) times. He said that on that day, he was in the room with Tumbul Tamba, Hydara, Musa Jammeh and Harry Sambou, the then Director of NIA.
Foroyaa 4 – 6 May 2007
3. “I WAS ELECTROCUTED & BEATEN”Accused Tells Court
Saihou Ceesay, who is standing trial for allegedly murdering one Momodou Sellu Bah, has informed the Banjul High Court that he was electrocuted and beaten by one Inspector Biran Jobe, while he was in the custody of the NIA.
“I was told to undress by Biran Jobe. There were wires attached to a machine. A wire was tied to my penis. Another wire was tied to my ear. I was beaten because I did not accept that I killed Momodou Sellu Bah. I was beaten while I was being electrocuted. A stick was used to beat me. I sustained bruises on my body and my head was swollen. I can undress for you (the court) to see the scars on my body,” the accused said.
Foroyaa 14 – 15 May 2007
4. FORMER NAM ALLEGES FORCED CONFESSION
Demba Dem, ex-parliamentarian for Niani constituency, currently charged with treason, following the March 2006 foiled coup d’etat on Wednesday, May 23, told the High Court that he was forced and beaten to make statements at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Upon arrival at the NIA, the politician said, he met one Lieutenant Musa Jammeh who ordered some soldiers to escort him to the conference room where he met a twenty-five member panel among whom he recognized one Momodou Hydara of the NIA, Foday Barry and Baba Saho.
He said that Hydara asked him whether he knows anything about the foiled coup. He said he answered that he knew nothing about the said coup. Dem narrated that he told Hydara that he was in Jarra Soma attending a workshop at the Jenoi Farmers’ Training Centre but Hydara insisted and asked him whether he spoke to any soldier at anytime.
“I said no. I did not speak to any soldier.” At that time Momodou Hydara stood up and said I am the greatest liar he has ever known and I am hiding. He said I will speak or else he would give me soldiers who would deal with me,” Dem told the court.
Dem said he told Hydara that if he knew anything he would reveal it but there is nothing he knew about an alleged coup.
Narrating further, Dem said that Hydara then ordered soldiers to return him to Mile Two around 6pm and by midnight; six soldiers handcuffed, bundled him up and drove him to the NIA Headquarters again. Among those soldiers he said are Michael Correa, Sana Manjang, Pa Malick Jatta, Ismaila Jammeh and two others he could not recall. The former National Assembly Member said he was still handcuffed at the NIA where he was taken to a dark corner, forced to kneel down on the ground and a bucket of water poured on him.
Dem alleged that four soldiers began beating him with pipes, sticks, guns and knives, resulting to wounds on both his right and left leg. He added that his shoulder was cut with a knife when he refused to sign the statement, adding that they threatened to cut his hand if he refused to obey their command.
Dem told the court that he was taken back to Mile Two around half past two in the morning while he was still handcuffed. On March 30 2006, he said that he was driven to the NIA again around eleven forty-five in the morning, while he was handcuffed and taken before the panel and asked to say what he knew about the coup.
He said that Hydara told him he would speak or else they would beat him like yesterday.
Dem added that he told them they would kill him but there is nothing he can say, since he does not know anything about it.
He adduced that a soldier told him since he wanted to die, let him follow him to a small room.
In that room he said he met one Lamin Cham, a Detective Police, who told him they are taking his statements and asked him whether he could write.
“I told him I have nothing to write.” He said the officer escorting me at the time slapped him. Cham himself then wrote the statement on his own,” he said.
Foroyaa 25 – 27 May 2007
5. ALIEU JOBE TESTIFIES IN TREASON TRIAL
Mr. Jobe said he was detained at the NIA for five days in a cell called “Bamba Dinka”(Mandinka for a crocodile’s hole). He said he was not allowed to eat as normal, noting he ate only once in a day, that is in the morning. He said he slept on a bare floor and was eating and drinking in the same cell. He said the cell was small and dirty. He said he was tortured for five days and was later moved to Mile Two Prisons. He said on 14 April 2006, he was taken from Mile Two and was escorted by soldiers in black uniform to the NIA at around 10pm. Mr. Jobe said he met Lieutenant Musa Jammeh who took him to the back of the building and subjected him to torture, beatings and insults. Jobe said they were asking him all sorts of questions of which he had no clue. He said blood oozed out of his nose and mouth due to the beatings. He said he was taken to Boto Keita who took his statement, adding that he was not cautioned and no independent witness was present. He said he was beaten with sticks and batons, and a black plastic bag was put over his head. He said on the 25 March 2006, he was taken to face the panelists, but to his surprise, he found Corporal Sowe with a video camera there and the then Army Spokesperson, Lieutenant Lamin Gano, the then NIA boss, Harry Sambou, the then IGP Major Ousman Sonko (now SoS Interior) and Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba were all present when the recording of his statement was done at night. He said he was compelled to make the statement for the video recording by the members of the panel. Jobe could not decline making a statement, noting he was going to be tortured had he declined to make a statement. He recalled that on 14 April 2006, he was tortured at the NIA headquarters by Lieutenant Musa Jammeh, Malick Jatta, Sana Manjang, Private Correa, Alieu Jeng and Warrant officer Tumbul Tamba. He added that he knew some of the soldiers who were beating him, but he came to know the others when he heard them calling each others’ names. Alieu Jobe indicated that Musa Bojang who went to his house to collect the white T-shirt for him brought a T-shirt to him. He said at the NIA, one Mr. Ngum used to give him half bread every morning, adding that that was the only food provided for him everyday. Mr. Jobe said at one point, he was escorted to the NIA where he met Tamsir Jasseh being tortured and that he heard them saying “beat him, we don’t have enough time.” He said he and Tamsir Jasseh were in handcuffs when they were being tortured. He added that while they were beating him, he was asked to stand up but he could not stand up due to the pain. He said a soldier held him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up resulting in the tearing of his shirt. He said he was bleeding from bruises that he sustained during the torturing and that there was blood stains on his shirt. He added that the bruises disappeared on his body because of the nature of his skin and that the incident happened 16 months ago. A T-shirt was tendered in court and marked as exhibit.
Foroyaa 13 – 15 July 2007
6. STATE YET TO PRODUCE RAMBO AND KANYIBA
Following a High Court ruling which ordered the state to produce Ousman Jatta (Rambo) and Kanyiba Kanyi on Thursday in court, the Director of Public Prosecution, Emmanuel Fagbenle has filed a stay of enforcement of the ruling.
Mr. Fagbenle told Justice Sanji Monageng that after the order was made on Tuesday, he had a meeting with the Police and the National Intelligence Agency, but the position remains the same.
The order to produce the duo arose following a writ of habeas corpus filed by their lawyer, Ousainou Darboe, challenging their alleged detention since September 2006.
The state counsel applied for a short adjournment of the matter to allow him to communicate to the Attorney General, who is out of the jurisdiction.
In response, Mr. Darboe insisted that the two men are in the custody of the State, adding that he recently received a note from one of the detainee’s (Rambo), from Sare Ngai, in the Upper River Region, under police custody.
Mr. Darboe told the court that the issue is a total disgrace for The Gambia which should serve as a citadel of human rights, noting that The Gambia is the country that hosts the African Commission on Human and People’s Right (ACHPR).
Foroyaa 8 – 10 June 2007
7. PROSECUTION EXAMINE JOBE & JASSEH IN TREASON TRIAL
Alieu Jobe, the former Accountant General and Tamsir Jasseh, a former Director General of the Immigration Department, who are both standing trial at the High Court for treason, were cross examined by the state counsel, E.O Fagbenle on Thursday, 12 July. The state counsel asked Alieu Jobe whether he had any relationship with Lieutenant Musa Jammeh’s ex-wife. Mr. Jobe said their relationship was based on educational basis only. He said he was her tutor at Nusrat and Jollof Tutors where she was studying ACCA. He said that Musa’s wife used to call him in the presence of her husband, and that Musa used to ask him to help her because he (Musa) wanted her to be a Chartered Accountant. When asked whether he was aware of anybody’s involvement in the March 21 2006, foiled coup, he answered in the negative. He added that he was not aware of any coup attempt and that he would have revealed it if he was aware of it. E.O Fagbenle asked him how he appeared before the panel of investigators and what was his response to the questions about the foiled coup. Mr. Jobe said he appeared before the panel in handcuffs and that he told them that he knew nothing about the coup plot. He added that he also told the panel that he needed a lawyer. He also said he cannot remember how many questions were put to him by the panellists. When asked whether he knew Captain Musa Jammeh, Captain Wassa, Captain Yaya Darboe, RSM Alpha Bah, Alieu Ceesay, Tamsir Jasseh, Manlafi Corr, Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang, Sainey Bayo, Private Alagie Nying, Marabout Omar Faal Keita, Colonel Ndure Cham and Honourable Demba Dem. Mr. Jobe said he heard about Captain Wassa Camara as a military officer; that he knew Honourable Demba Dem and that he knew Colonel Ndure Cham, adding that he rarely met Colonel Ndure Cham. He added that as far as the rest are concerned, he did not know them before. When asked if he is familiar with Gambian soldiers wearing black uniform, he said he only saw them putting on black uniforms when he was arrested and taken to Mile Two Prison. He said he and Tamsir Jasseh were escorted together from Mile Two Prisons to the NIA on the 14 April 2006. He said they did not mingle together, nor did they discuss anything. He said he has no relationship with Mustapha Lowe. He said he met him when the court remanded him after he had already spent 42 days in detention. Mr. Jobe noted that he was not allowed access to a lawyer and his family members. He denied having any private affair with Defective Sergeant Boto (Keita) before he Keita took his statement. He added that Sergeant Keita never insulted or harassed him at any point in time. “Am putting it to you that the Alagie Nying you said you don’t know, is a mechanic and that you wrote in your statement that you have informed him about the coup plot,” said Fagbenle. Alieu Jobe replied that they have no mechanic at their department and that he cannot remember putting that in writing. He told the court that he served as an Accountant General for 15 months before being arrested at his office and dumped at Mile Two prisons. When asked whether Captain Musa Jammeh was part of the panel of investigators, he replied in the positive, adding that it was Musa Jammeh who interrogated him. He was, at this juncture, given the list of names of the panellists, but he said he did not find Musa Jammeh’s name on it. Mr. Jobe indicated that when he was arrested, Captain Musa Jammeh told him that he has fallen into his hands. He said two soldiers were present when Jammeh made this statement. He added that he did not know the names of those two soldiers. “Am putting it to you that Musa Jammeh was not involved when you were being taken to Mile Two and to the NIA,” said E.O Fagbenle. Mr. Jobe said, “That is incorrect.” Mr. Jobe said 5 soldiers beat him for about one hour and thirty minutes. He added that Musa Jammeh supervised the beating. He said during the course of the beatings, he sustained wounds. He said he couldn’t produce a medical report on that. Mr. Jobe indicated that he was beaten with sticks and batons. He said there were intervals when they stopped the beatings and posed questions to him. “Am putting it to you that the T-shirt that you tendered before the court belongs to Tamsir Jasseh and that all what you have said before the court are stories and not the truth,” said Fagbenle. He said, “That is incorrect and am telling the truth.” Tamsir Jasseh also testified as a defence witness (DW1) in the trial of Alieu Jobe in the “Voir dire” (trial within trial). Mr. Tamsir Jasseh, the former Director of Immigrations told the court that he is currently detained, in cell number 12 at the security wing in Mile Two Prison, while Alieu Jobe is in number 11. He said it is not correct when the prison medic (Bakary Wharf Kujabi) testified that there is no cell numbers at Mile Two Prison. He said he first met Alieu Jobe at the NIA and that he saw him in handcuffs, and a plastic bag covered his head and he was sweating. He said the idea of putting plastic bag over the heads of people “was to suffocate you”. Mr. Jasseh said they used the plastic bag to make you do what the investigators wanted you to do.
Foroyaa 16 – 17 July 2007
8. DETAINED MALIAN DOCTOR COMPLAINS OF POLICE BRUTALITY
In the on going trial of one Dr. Amadou Traore, a Malian National, for his alleged involvement in the murder of one Bangali Tunkara, some time back in 2004, he stated that he is a doctor by profession and was resident in Tamba Kunda. According to him, some time in November 2004 he left Tamba Kunda for Ziguinchor; that while he was in Ziguinchor, he received a phone call from the Gendarmerie in Wellingara that the Basse Police wanted him. He said that he told them that he could only be available after 10 or 15 days as he taking care of patients. He is said to have presented himself to the Wellingara Police Station in December and was immediately escorted to the Basse Police Station by the Senegalese Gendarmerie. He highlighted that upon arrival at the Basse Police, a Senior Police officer whom he cannot remember, ordered his junior officers to handcuff and put him in the cells. He told the Court that when he asked for the reason why he was being handcuffed he received a slap in the face. He further revealed that he was stripped naked and was asked to tell them the whereabouts of the rebels reported to be hidden in The Gambia. He said he told them that he does not even know The Gambia not to talk of rebels hiding in the country. He pointed out that he was mercilessly beaten until he went into a comma. He explained that some acid was also poured on his body.
He said from there he began to gain consciousness. He stated that an amount of two million five hundred and thirty-five C.F.A francs was taken from him by the Senior Police Commissioner of Basse Police Station, when he was searched. He said the following day the said Commissioner of Police told him that if he discloses to anybody that he the (Commissioner) took his money he would be killed; that a lit cigarette was put off in his ear by the said Police Commissioner. Going further in his testimony, Dr. Traore narrated that on the 24the December 2004, he was invited by the then O.C in his office and was asked to sign a statement, which according to him, was not clearly explained to him. He said that he together with eight other detainees he met at the cell, where paraded in front of a large crowd before the Basse Police Station. He indicated that the following day, the 26the of December 2004, he was taken together with the eight other detainees to the remand wing at Janjangbureh Prisons and subsequently transferred to the Mile Two Central Prisons in Banjul.
According to him, upon arrival at Mile Two, he was put in a small cell with both hands handcuffed for almost one month. He further narrated that on the 26the January 2006, he was visited by his lawyer, Mr. Borry Touray, who came to inform him that two of his wives came from Mali and were with the Malian Ambassador in The Gambia; but that they did not have access to him because of the magnitude of his case. He then said that his lawyer advised his family to return to Mali and come back after four months. He said after sometime, he was again visited by the New Malian Ambassador at the time with two different lawyers, after which he was taken back to Janjangbureh Prisons and finally to Basse Police Station, where he is still under detention. In his ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, Baldeh, urged the Police to respect the civic and fundamental rights of detainees, stating that Mr. Traore’s condition in detention was deplorable. The case was then adjourned to Monday, 21st August 2006, for cross extermination by the prosecution. It could be recalled that Mr. Traore was arrested and detained since 2004, for his alleged involvement in the murder of one Bangali Tunkara, during the time Nfamara Jallow was the Commissioner of Police for Basse division.
Foroyaa 1 – 3 August 2007
9. CAPTAIN YAYA DARBOE’S TESTIMONY
Captain Yaya Darboe has testified in the ongoing court martial at Yundum Barracks.
In his testimony, Darboe told the court that he was arrested on 21st March and whisked away to Mile Two Central Prison. He said he was arrested at his residence at Brusubi. He said when they arrived at Mile Two Central Prison, he was taken to the conference room where he was undressed and searched. He said he was led into a cell, which was locked by the officers. He said before the soldiers left, he had asked them where he was going to sleep, and they pointed to a concrete slab and said that is his bed. He noted that he slept peacefully that night without a mosquito coil, blanket or a mattress.
“It was on 22nd March around midnight, when I was almost sleeping, Lieutenant Colley entered the security wing with some officers. I don’t know the officers. They were all armed and some of them were dressed in military camouflage and some in black. The armed officers in camouflage had AK 47 and those in black had Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). My cell was opened. He (Colley) asked me to follow them. I was not told any reason why I should follow them. When we reached the conference room of the prisons, that was the time I was told, I was going to the NIA to answer some questions. I was handed over to those soldiers in black-black. They handcuffed me and asked me to join a black Toyota pick up. I joined and we headed for the NIA office. I was scared when I was asked to join them (soldiers), because that is the first time I saw that type of uniform (black) in The Gambia,” he remarked.
He said while they were going to the NIA, he was insulted and beaten by the escorts.
Darboe said, “Some of them said you young boys came to the army recently and you were given ranks, and you want to overthrow the government.” The driver said “Don’t finish the chop, wait until I join you.” I was being referred to as the food. At the NIA, one tough guy in black uniform signalled me to follow him. He led me outside. There are two flowerbeds there. There I met somebody who called himself Hell Manger and he said ‘Yaya Darboe, welcome to hell fire’. He asked me to kneel down. Eight men in black uniform surrounded me. I was still in handcuff. The Hell Manager knelt down and said he was going to teach me the rules of hell fire. He said you have to obey what the Hell Manager tells you if you want to go out of that place. He said from that hell fire, you are going to Charity House. Before he proceeded to the next rule, one Lieutenant Musa Jammeh intervened and said Darboe Kunda, and I said Jammeh Kunda. Then he said ‘I know you very well.’ Because of that I did not want you to suffer a lot. Musa Jammeh asked me to follow the procedure so that I can go free. I said ‘you know me. I am not part of the alleged coup plot.’ He said ‘wait, wait He said ‘I know you are part of this thing. All am interested in now is for you to give me the names of all those who are involved and you go free.’ I never accepted to be part of the coup plot. As this was happening, I heard a knock on my left eye. I fell down unconscious for about 10 seconds. The only thing I could feel were sticks raining on all parts of my body. Then Lieutenant Jammeh intervened and I was asked to sit down. Then my eye started bleeding. All this was to get the statement they wanted from me. After thirty minutes of torture, I asked them to give me time to tell them what they wanted. Then one of them who understood my language said I should not joke with them. The torture lasted for one hour thirty minutes. Then one of them said “Tomorrow you are going to come and give a statement” I gave them a story since they controlled me. They wanted me to say that I am part of the coup. They pinpointed certain parts of the story, which they were not happy with. My eye bled for about thirty minutes. Musa intervened and asked me further questions. There was a man standing near me with a yellow bag. I could hear that man whispering to Musa, and Musa said “No need.” Darboe remarked.
He further told the court that one of the interviewers had indicated that he (Darboe) should be ready for burial. He said about five sticks rained on his body.
He said at this juncture, the Hell Manager asked the others to start the burial (the beating). He noted that they beat him at that stage, adding that the beating was painful.
“They were using branches of a palm tree to beat me. The pain was too much and I started screaming. Any time I screamed too loud, the Hell Manager put sand in my mouth. I spat the first part of the sand out. The Hell Manager asked those beating me to stop and he cautioned me. He asked me why I am throwing the sand out. I told him, I threw it because it is sand. Then he said you have no choice of food in hell. I tried to explain. I said this is not food. He said don’t play with me. The sand should not come out again.’ The burial (beating) started again. The branches of the palm tree were broken and it could not be used for beating any more and so they said the burial is over. Then the Hell Manager said I should prepare to go to the Charity House. Then he brought about five cables. You have to crawl or roll from hell fire to charity house,” he pointed out.
He said he was at this juncture told that the cables would be used to beat him and the faster he reached charity house, the better for him. He said he rolled to charity house while his hands were still in handcuff. He said he was struck with a bundle of cables while he was rolling to charity house. He alleged that the beating stopped when he reached charity house. He noted that two of the men brought a concrete block and put it on his back while he was lying on the ground.
He said the purpose of the beating was for him to say what they wanted from him.
“They wanted my statement to conform with the statements of Captain Saikou Seckan and Captain Bunja Darboe” he told the court.
He said they later lifted the block from his back and put it aside. He said the Hell Manager had told him that he is going to make a statement and if he deviates from what he told them, the lessons meted out to Pharing Sanyang and Wassa Camara will be meted out to him. He said he spent about one hour, forty-five minutes at the NIA before he was taken back to the Prison.
He said the following day he was put on board a vehicle and taken to the NIA. He said at the NIA office, he was led into a room where he met the investigators. He said the table in the room had bloodstains and a hammer. He said he had told the investigators that he has not discussed a coup plot with anybody. He said he later entered a room with Abdoulie Sowe where his statement was taken. He said the independent witness, Tijan Bojang, entered the room after he had written and signed his statement. He further indicated that Tijan Bojang also signed the statement.
He said he was tortured on the 6th and 7th April 2006.
“This time with Captain Bunja Darboe. We were all tortured at the same time. I was taken for treatment at the eye clinic at RVTH on 21st of April. I was asked to go back on 24th April,” he remarked.
Foroyaa 25 – 26 October 2006
10. Captain Wassa Camara Testified
At the court martial at Yundum Barracks, the trial within a trial continues to determine whether Captain Wassa Camara’s cautionary and voluntarily statements should be admitted in evidence or not. Three witnesses have testified for the prosecution to prove that the statements were made voluntarily in the presence of an independent witness after the Captain, Wassa Camara, was cautioned. On Thursday, Captain Wassa Camara entered the witness box to prove that the statements were not made voluntarily and are therefore not admissible. In the last issue we started with the testimony of Captain Wassa Camara and now continue with it. According to Captain Wassa Camara, late in the morning of 22nd March, WO2 Colley, now a Lieutenant came with some officers from The Gambia Armed Forces who were all dressed in camouflage. He said, he could recognize one Malick Jatta and Mustapha Sanneh including some other officers. He said he heard Lieutenant Colley saying, “Open the cell, Captain Camara is here.” He added that, when the cell was opened, Lieutenant Colley then handcuffed him at his back noting that he was moved into the conference hall. He said, he was blind folded and two soldiers held him by the hand, lifted him and dumped him in a car. He said he thought he was going to be killed but he was taken to the NIA complex. He added that at the NIA, he was asked to follow them up to the reception. He said, he met several soldiers in camouflage and in black uniform armed with individual weapons like AK47 rifles, PGL, RPG7. He noted that the black uniform material is different from that of the Police Interventions Unit (PIU). “That was the first time I saw that black uniform,” he said. He stated that he was taken to an office where he met WO2 Tumbul Tamba, Lance Corporal Malick Jatta, Mustapha Sanneh, Abdoulie Sowe, and others whom he did not recognize. According to him, they told him that they did not take him there for a joke; that he had to choose between death and Mile Two Prisons. He said, he was told that Captain Seckan had told them that he is part of the abortive coup. He said he replied that he did not know about anything and, so could not be part of it. “They said to me, death or alive, choose one.” He said at that juncture, Mustapha Sanneh butted him on his back and he fell on the floor still in handcuff. He said he was severely beaten. He said some of them used their rifles to hit him while others kicked him. He said some of them stamped him. He explained that WO2 Tumbul Tamba said to him that they are not joking with him. “I said again, how can I be part of something I don’t know about.” He said, WO2 Tamba then ordered Mustapha Sanneh and Ousman Jatta to stand by and that all of them cocked their rifles. “They said to me, this is your final warning, if you don’t accept that, you are part of it, you will be killed instantly. Then I complied. He pointed out that he sustained a cut on his knee, buttocks, a wound on his leg and on his back. He said he is feeling pain on his chest and sides. He said after he complied he was taken to the reception and later to Mile Two.
He said in the morning of 22nd March, Lieutenant Colley, with other soldiers including prison wardens, came and took him to the reception and then to the NIA. He said that time he was not blindfolded. He said at the NIA, the soldiers were at the same place armed with weapons of all kinds. He asserted that along the corridor and on the ladder leading to the stairs, soldiers were standing everywhere with their weapons. He said at the panel, Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba and IGP Major Ousman Sonko were seated at the extreme end of the panel with some armed soldiers. He added that, one Lieutenant Mathew, Lieutenant Musa Jammeh and WO2 Tumbul Tamba were all present. He also added that, the panelists were, Hydara, Abdoulie Sowe, Lamin Cham, Ceesay and others whom he cannot recall. He pointed out that Abdoulie Sowe told him not to forget about his compliance of the previous night and that the instruction remains the same. He noted that, Sowe brought a piece of paper for him and told him that, those written words are what he had said earlier. He said, at that juncture, one Baba Saho, an NIA officer, came and gave him a hard slap, saying to him, “You are an intelligent officer, but you either comply or we kill you here. He added that, Abdoulie Sowe, also reminded him that there is no joke there and asked him to look on the table. He said, on the table, there was a broken tooth, a hammer and blood stains. He said he was warned to be careful because some people were there before him and that those things on the table are examples. He pointed out that, Abdoulie Sowe was ordered to record his statement and he was taken to another office, with Sowe, Private Demba in camouflage, Mustapha Sanneh in black uniform and another soldier in camouflage. He said all of them were State Guard. He said that Mustapha Sanneh told him, “Look Camara, we are batch mates, but today will be your last day.” He said, Sowe brought some forms and writing papers and asked him to copy exactly from that paper. He said after he had copied and signed, Lamin Cham came in and told Sowe that the independent witness will not be a problem because he had called somebody to come on 23rd March. He said Private Demba and others later took him to the reception, where he was handcuffed and he joined a vehicle.
He said he met WO2 Alpha Bah with his hand handcuffed at his back and they were taken back to Mile Two. He narrated that on the 23rd March, he was blindfolded, handcuffed and taken to the NIA complex. Upon arrival at the NIA, he said, he was taken to the conference hall, where he met the same officers, IGP and the CDS. He said, as he was seated an armed officer at the entrance of the hall behind him cocked his gun while he was answering questions. Captain Camara said he was told to accept that he was discussing certain issues with Captain Yaya Darboe and that he is his friend. Camara said he told them that, Yaya is not his friend but that they only know each other in the job. He said one of them told him he and Yaya attended the same training in Ghana. “Then one of them struck me with the butt of a gun and I fell on the floor, they started kicking me at my sides, but Colonel Tamba ordered them to stop.” He said he was told to accept that he had certain discussions with Captain Yaya Darboe. “Then one of the soldiers told me, Captain Camara, do you forget what we told you, comply or die instantly.” He added that, the soldier behind him cocked his gun and a live round fell from the chamber of the gun and that soldier held the round and showed it to him. The Soldier told him that they were not joking to him, and told him that they are not joking. He said he then accepted and that WO2 Tamba and others were ordered to take him to the reception and then to Mile Two Prison. According to him, on the 24th March, Lieutenant Colley and others opened his cell, handcuffed him and state guards escorted him to the NIA. He said he was taken to the room where the panelists were seated and that he was subjected to the same questions he was asked the previous nights. He pointed out that he was tortured before Sowe was asked to record his statement, this time, in a different office. He said, he was with Sowe, Private Demba and other soldiers, and all of them were in camouflage and had weapons. He said Sowe then brought papers and asked him to fill his name. He said Sowe brought other papers and told him that they were the seven (7) Statements, of Captain Yaya Darboe. He said Sowe told him he had nothing to do, but to comply. He said he wrote his statement and signed it. He said, he heard Sowe saying “The independent witness will be here.” He said, he only saw the witness in the court when he testified. He said in the morning of the 26th March, he was taken to the NIA complex in handcuffs and taken to where the panelists usually sit. He said upon arrival at the panel, he was surprised to find a “Television man” seated where the accused person normally sits. He said, he was ordered to sit opposite, facing the “TV man.” He said, after the recording, he was taken back to Mile Two.
He explained that, on the 27th March, at night at around 11 pm, he was taken to the NIA complex. He said, he spent about two hours at the reception before he was taken before the panel. He said, he was again asked about certain questions pertaining to Captain Yaya Darboe’s statement. He said, he was then moved to the reception, where he met a soldier who was dressed in black materials who said to him, “You are the officers we are looking for.” He noted that, before he uttered a word, Corporal Malick Jatta slapped him. He said, the other soldier held his head and started to knock it against the wall. He said he was still in handcuffs, and that soldier continuously hit his head against the wall until he was bleeding. He said, he was so weak that, the soldier squeezed him behind a table. He pointed out that, Malick Jatta took him away from that soldier and suddenly, Malick Jatta kicked his leg off the ground and he fell on the floor on his chest. “I was then beaten mercilessly and I was bleeding from all parts of my head, mouth, buttocks and legs.” He asserted that Mustapha Sanneh stamped him and told him, “Look Camara, we did not yet finish with you.” He said WO2 Tumbul Tamba, ordered them to stop beating him. He added that, Sowe was ordered to record his statement at the early hours of the morning of the 28th March 2006. He said, he was with Sowe and two armed officers who were dressed in camouflage. He pointed out that, before he could write his statement, he was confronted with Captain Yaya Darboe’s statement. He said they asked him how many marabouts he has and whether he has informed them prior to the coup. He said he told them that he used to have one Marabout, but as at the time of the interview he had three but he denied having informed any of them about the coup. He lamented that he was later taken back to Mile Two. He said at Mile Two Colley and another soldier took him out of the vehicle he said he was unable to walk because of the beatings. He said his handcuff was loosened, noting Colley helped him to sit down and he was searched. He said, he was later dumped in his cell. He said Lieutenant Colley tried to help him with a mosquito net, but a soldier asked Colley to let him die. He said in the early morning, senior prison officers, including prison Director, David Colley, came to see his condition. He said, they sympathized with him, but they could not do much. He added that, after the officers left, a medical officer, dressed in white came and gave him paracetamol, shaved his head, dressed his wounds, applied ink to the bruises on his face and he undressed to treat the wound on his buttocks and the legs. He narrated that after almost two weeks, he was complaining of his health to Lieutenant Colley and prison officers. He said an Egyptian doctor from the RVTH was later brought to attend to him. He added that the medical doctor attached to the prison visited him from time to time. He explained that from March to May, he had complained about his health and that, he has informed Lieutenant Colley, Alieu Ceesay, who are in charge of their security, the prison doctor and others about it. He said it was not until in June, when he was taken to RVTH and was treated by a doctor, but that, he could not identify the doctor who attended to him on the ward he was taken to. He added that he was given prescription papers, which he gave it to Corporal Wharf to give it to his wife. He said, his wife told him, that she gave it to his brother Alassana Boto Camara to buy the prescribe drugs. He added that his brother bought the drugs and gave both drugs and prescription paper to Corporal Wharf. He said, after taking those drugs, he felt a little relieved. He added that two soldiers took him to RVTH with medical personnel from Mile Two. He said, the Egyptian doctor told him to be referred back to him if he has another problem. He lamented that, he made another complaint to the authorities but before he was taken to the Egyptian doctor, it took another two months. He admitted that, he was later taken to the doctor and he complained of dizziness, pain at his back and sides. He said it was on a Friday, and they were told that it was late but they could go back on Monday. He complained that, he was never taken back to the hospital again, even though, he complained to Lieutenant Colley and the medical Sergeant at Mile Two.
Foroyaa 13 – 14 November 2006