Police in Banjul have effected more arrests in connection to the fatal torture of the protesting United Democratic Party youths.
Ebrima Solo Sandeng, the former Organising Secretary of the United Democratic Party, on April 14, 2016, led a two dozen youth politicians to launch a peaceful protest, calling for electoral reforms ahead of the 2016 presidential elections.
The ten serving members of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) — Leon Gomez, Lamin Bojang aka GAMBAGAL, Manlafi Jarju, Sheikh Tijan Camara, Kwesi Mendy, Lamin Bojang Driver, Ansumana Manga Driver, Yankuba Colley, Ngora Njie and Bakary Jammeh aka Afo — were on Friday rounded up at the SIS headquarters in Banjul for torturing the UDP political activists. They are currently held at the Serious Crimes Unit in Banjul awaiting interrogation and charges.
The protesting youths were arrested, detained and tortured resulting to the death of Mr. Sandeng, who according to the UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, was “buried like a dog.” Other tortured victims either died in detention or after being released. Those who survived the tortures have been grappling with physical and mental pains. In fact, at the time of writing this story, one surviving victim Fa Lang Sonko of Jeshwang traveled to Dakar for medical treatment.
The former intelligence chief, Yankuba Badjie, Louie Richard Leese Gomez, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Babucarr Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Haruna Susso, Tamba Mansary, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang have been standing trial for conspiring to murder Mr. Sandeng, assault causing grievous bodily harm, abduction, making false document without proper authority amongst others. The men face 26 counts.
Ends
Anyone involved in the torturing to death of SOLO SANDENG must not be spared. No stone should be left uncovered. Other equally abhorent cases exist and must be followed.
The SOLO case is unique because direct culpability is given and can be established. State security, under the command of whoever, rounded up the protesters in broad daylight and the next day SOLO was killed.
These criminals with blood on their hands can neither run nor hide. Even those who run away will not live in peace. These are cursed for life. Shame on them!
This story has left an unanswered question for the director of SIS Ousman Sowe. Why does it take so long before these serving agents were arrested? Sowe cannot say he is not aware. That means he should be fired for incompetence. He must have known about the story but decided to brush it under the carpet to cover his own mess or sabotage the case. This is just too fishy. I’m only expressing my view as a woman. Can my brothers help me to make sense out of this story? I’m beginning to smell the rat that this Sowe has a skeleton in his cupboard. From now on we must start watching this Sow with an eagle’s eye.