BY OUSMAN CHAM, BANJUL

The administration of President Yahya Jammeh, claimed to have intercepted a coup speech drafted by the alleged coupists, which the government says would be read on GRTS today at 9PM. Many local observers here believed that the said coup speech might be manufactured by the Jammeh government in a bid to incriminate the detainees some of whom say they don’t have a clue about the alleged coup attempt, despite being forced to sign cautionary statements.

The said observers who spoke to the Freedom Newspaper, also questioned the delay on the side of the government to come up with evidence to substantiate their allegations against the alleged coupist. “The timing of the said coup speech, I must say raises eyes brows here in the country. Many people believed that the regime is lying and was bent on black mailing these officers of the National Army and the Civilian population. We are keenly monitoring developments. Let wait and see what evidence they will produce.” said the observer.

According to sources reaching this paper, in a telecast last night, the government says the said coup plot speech would be read today Monday, on National TV and Radio. However, the statement failed to indicate who will read the speech on behalf of the government.

Our Banjul Correspondent says many Gambians are curious to know the content of the alleged coup document intercepted by the government. “The speech was shown on TV few days ago by President Jammeh, while making his speech on the foiled coup.” said our reporter.

While the said alleged foiled coup continues to attract heated debate across the country, many people here are yet to be convinced about the government claim that these people wanted to topple Jammeh’s government. To many here, “the desperate government was out to witch hunt its opponents with the sole aim of silencing them. People are openly making their views heard on the said alleged coup, as attaya and motor transportation discussions centered on the alleged foiled coup.”

Meanwhile, President Jammeh was shown on the TV last night taking a stroll on the streets of Banjul, followed by a large crowd. Jammeh was reported to have bragged that anyone bent on toppling his government will be crushed to death. The President after a brief tour of the city later returned to his villa.