Two Generals who fled from the Gambia to Equatorial Guinea when Jammeh was kicked out of power in January 2017, have sneaked their way back into the country in January 2018 and were apprehended in their respective homes.
The Gambia’s President, Adama Barrow concerned about security challenges of his country after decades of misrule and dictatorship, says the nation is going through a learning curve and has confirmed in an interview over the BBC that the generals will be court-martialed for dereliction of duty and breach of their profession.
Both soldiers who reportedly had a falling out with their former boss, Yahya Jammeh and decided to return home will be tried in open court for deserting the army.
”The process is on, the process is a legal process, thereby the media, the public, and everybody is part of it to make sure that the process is free and fair. They came through the airports unnoticed, this was a security lapse but as I tell you, it is a learning process for us, which will take us time,” says President Barrow.
Back in February, Army chief of staff, Mansareh Kinteh said that a probe launched revealed both former generals had clashed with Jammeh. Umpa Mendy, the principal protection officer for Yahya Jammeh and Ansuman Tamba, the former head of the State Guards Battalion wasn’t contented with living conditions in exile and decided to return home.
In a statement issued by the military during the time of their arrest says both men were being held at the Yundum Military Barracks, where they’re fully cooperating with the military police.
Neba Benson,
BaretaNews Foreign Correspondent/Analyst
