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Last night a number of the coup plotters related how the aborted infamous March 21 coup plot was hatched, how they got involved, the intrigues as well as their motivation.
Tamsir Jasseh
Former director of the Gambia Immigration Department, said his knowledge about the coup was limited, adding that he was “able to get this information at the very last minute. Personally when I looked at the situation, it looked more to me like a plan that was never executed. I was informed about the whole thing by Col Ndure Cham, whom I knew through the service. He had more like a desire than a plan. He wanted to change the government. The change of government that he wanted was more like just change the leadership.”
He added: “He said to me that he wanted to leave everything as it is. The political parties, the people in the opposition and that even the APRC will be allowed to continue as a party. And that the constitution will not be suspended. And that there will be no commission of inquiry and that life will just go on.”
Mr Jasseh continued: “He (Col Ndure Cham) told me that the whole military was behind him. Then I said if the whole military was behind you, then Tamsir Jasseh cannot stop you. He later mentioned about how he can go about stopping communication during the act. And one of the major things he mentioned to me that I have put some significance was when he said to me, if we should do it, we have to cut off the communication. And I said to him no, no! If you do that you are destroying the country. I told him you just have to switch them off, instead of cutting the fibres of the cable, because I know the cables are very expensive and it will take a long time before you can restore the telecommunication services. And then he went about his way.”
According to Mr Jasseh, it was on the very day of their plan that Col Ndure Cham informed him that “we are going to do it. And three hours later he called me and said we are abandoning this thing and that we are not going to get started, because Lang Tombong Tamba has sent the message to Mauritania. So I told him well that is the best thing you can do. You have not even started it. No one is hurt, nothing is destroyed. So maybe that is less of a problem than if you have tried to force your way through. So what are you going to do now? And then he said I don’t know. So he went away”.
He then recalled that while he was in his house with his wife and children, Col Ndure Cham said that “someone has informed him that he was to be arrested and that he was on the run.”
He said: “At that point, I begin to realise the seriousness of the situation. Then I discussed it with my wife. I said this is what has been happening. This guy has told me this. And my wife was very concern and she said I think you better go and speak with the American ambassador as US citizen. When I told him (US ambassador) about this he said go home and if the authorities question you, cooperate with them. Tell them what you know. And I was picked up and brought here and I have told them what I know.”
The Ex-Police Adviser Jasseh then expressed his regret and sorrow and further remembered: “It was between 5:30 and 6:00 evening, when I transported him to Kujubeh, which later on, I found out was actually in Senegal. And I came back. I did it because this is the way out for both of us. When we got there I said no! I am coming to face the consequences and I came back.”
External Support
Tamsir Jasseh recalled that it was about two months ago, when Col Ndure Cham talked to him about the border problem between The Gambia and Senegal. “It got to a point that it affecting both countries economically and so many other ways. And I remember distinctly telling him that the cost of cooking gas has gone up in both countries so much so that business people and restaurants do not even make profit on cooking gas,” he added, and then pointed out: “He said to me I want to send a message to the Senegalese High Commission that the securities services between The Gambia and Senegal should continue working smoothly together and let the politicians sort out their political issues. Because at these borders it is the security personnel that stand there. If the security personnel facilitate movement, there will be smooth cooperation. And he wanted me to go to the Senegalese Ambassador to formally discuss with him. I asked him how he could do that? He said I am not too sure whether that is in line with Gambia government policy but I just want them to know. It took me a while before I was finally able to go there.”
“I went in. I gave my name and all my information. It was about three, four days later when they called me and said you have requested meeting with the ambassador. You can come. And I went in. I greeted the ambassador and before I started he said wait let me call a witness. I told him that Ndure Cham has asked me to come to you personally and explain to you what is happening at the border. That the security services of both countries should work together smoothly. And then the ambassador himself at first expressed surprise why I must be the one to convey such a message...And for now this is what he has asked me to do. And that I would like you to understand that he is seeking a cooperation between the two securities and the politicians can take care of their problems and that the situation in The Gambia has become dangerous in his point of view. This is what he was concerned about. And the ambassador listened at me surprisingly. Then he elaborated on the need for closer relation as you would talk to a Senegalese, for closer collaboration. Just on that general term. And then he said ok, I will contact you,” he explained.
Mr Jasseh noted that it was after about five days later that he received a call from someone in “Senegal, who identified himself as Pap Seck and said my superior gave me your name and number. So I just call to say that I will call you back. Then I told Ndure Cham, instead of the ambassador calling me, it was somebody calling me from Senegal. So I gave Ndure Cham that information and he said Pap Seck might be in the Military Intelligence. Mr Cham gave me the information that Pap Seck would give him money. He requested the money. But I asked him why did he needed the money from anybody? And he said no member of the military will be in the government. It will be a purely civilian government and that if these senior officers are paid money, it will be like some kind of compensation not to request for positions, because the government was just suppose to continue as it is. He said if he has a million dollars. But to me, that was just daydreaming. Who gonna give him a million dollars?”
The Ex-Deputy IGP Jasseh confirmed that he has always expressed that his interest was business throughout their planning. He added: “But he (col Ndure Cham said to me, you are good in law enforcement and the IGP Sonko is a very good soldier, who I will really like to promote and transfer back into the army, because most of the senior people in the army are gone.”
Alieu Jobe
On his account, a 36- year old Alieu Jobe, who was the acting director of Treasury confirmed that Col Ndure was like a “grandfather” to him, who repose ”very high trust” in him.
He recalled that Col Cham had told him, when he was the commander of the National Guard that “he is contemplating overthrowing the government. I told him that this is not a good idea. I kept discouraging him until when he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff when I was not in town. I gave him a congratulatory call and I told him to work hard.”
On his return, Mr Jobe said he was surprised by Col Cham’s solidity to pushing for the same “thing. I still continued discouraging him. I told him that if he was not happy and he is now promoted, that should be the end of things. But he always told me I will go ahead and I always insisted, don’t do it. He has been threatening me at that level in the event he heard this thing; he will make sure that my head is blown up, because he is the head of the armed forces.”
He then added: “Anytime I visited him, I normally go into the house, sit and chat with the wife and he will tell me this is Tamsir or whatever. He said Tamsir was dealing with the key intelligence officer in Senegal. He said Senegal was about to give them somebody in their Intelligence to give them money, but he said he did not have the money. I told him that this was an indication that he could not do it. He said they were about to bring weapons into the country. That was just one discussion he mentioned all that, money, weapons, whatever but he said he believes the weapons cannot come here. So in any case, one thing I know was that it was Tamsir who was between him and this man. What he told me was that Senegal would deploy troops in either Cassamance or somewhere around the Kaolack area and those people would give him support in an event he is about to fail. He also said that Mbye would take care of the 2 Infantry Batallion and those in Cassamance would take care of Kanilai. Whether it is true or it is not true, these are his words.
And in most cases I keep telling him, you should forget about this thing.”
Recalling that Col Cham had asked him to inform Captain Famara Jammeh to be part his complot, Mr Jobe said he had never heeded his request. “I did not subscribed to it and I do not want a close friend of mine to subscribe to it. I’ve never informed him. We continued like that until on Monday at night, when he told me that he is not going to wait anymore. He said he is going ahead with his plan. I was very confused. And the next day early in the morning I called Capt Famara Jammeh and I informed him that I am not very comfortable. It seems something is about to happen and let him watch out. From there I think Capt Jammeh left for his office.”
“Around 5:00, he phoned me indicating that he is confused. I asked him what the confusion is. He said an NCO in Yundum called him to inform him that there is a planned coup. And I told him that I think this was the message I wanted to put across to you. But because of the threat on me, I could not go ahead. I am not very sure. What Col Cham told me was that I watch out who to talk to, because whoever you talk to could be part of it. And since it is a military thing and I am a civilian, I thought the best thing is just to avoid. And not to even talk, because when you talk, it will be used as an exhibit against you. And when you talk, you do not know whether the guy you are talking is even part of it. These were all worries in my brain,” he acknowledged.
According to him, under the circumstance, Capt Jammeh called around 5:00, saying he is confused. “I told him, I am also confused but I said this was the message I was trying to put across at least for you people to be alert. What he told me was what do I do now? He said he had called the commander and I said talk to any commander you have to talk to. And he said the CDS told him that I should have informed him. I told him I am not part of it and if I am not part of it I do not want you to be part of it. Therefore, I do not think I should inform you.”
According to him, the CDS “called me to inform me that he is leaving and he wants me to take care of his family in his absence. He was the very one who told me that the President is aware and that they have dispatched soldiers to arrest most of the officers. I arranged for him to come to Farato. I assigned my uncle to send him money, I think it was about D6,000 to Tanji to take a taxi. And the taxi brought him to Brikama and then he came to Farato.”
He slammed “bad associates” as he regrets, and then warned: “To have a bad associate, who you think is somebody who is part and parcel of you is the worse thing that can happen to a human being. And one has to be very careful about whom you are associated with.”
Alieu Jobe apologised for his inability to leak the coup plot and then said: “If Gambian people think that I should have leaked it under the circumstances and the truama I was going through, well I am very sorry to everybody. And prayed to God that this current undesirable situation ends as quickly as possible. And I wish that there is peace, tranquillity and order in the country.”
Bunja Darboe
Capt Bunja Darboe, military assistant to the Ex-Chief of Defence Staff Col Ndure Cham, confirmed: “I have worked with him (Col Cham) directly. I have access to his office than any other officer. I hold the key to his office, I write for him and hold appointments for him, as well as briefings and his official engagements. That was my task.
Capt Darboe, who joined the Gambia National Gendemerie on 10 June 1991 said: “It was sometime at the beginning of March, when I went to Col Cham’s office that he told me of a particular operation. He told me whether I am interested in the operation. I did not understand what he meant at that time. And then I did not take him seriously. As time goes on, anytime I go into his office he explains to me so many things. And to get me actually involve into this thing. He did not tell me at that time that it was an overthrow of a government. He only told me about an operation.”
However, the the former Gaf PRO Darboe recalled: “One day I asked him what he means by this operation. He said look you have been in the army for a long time. You know very well that you are above an average officer but you have not been promoted. Your juniors have been promoted over you. You have been left out. And you should find out why you are left out. And I said you are the one who should tell me exactly what happened, because I do not know. He said that’s what am trying to tell you that you are left out not because you are a sub-standard officer. It is because you are not in the good book of the Commander-in-chief. I said if that is so I am yet to have knowledge about it. I told him that am not somebody who have done anything wrong that I do not deserve such promotion. He said but you can see for yourself. All your juniors have been promoted over you and you are here. You cannot have the privilege that they are enjoying. And you are compelled to compliment them. These were his words that he used to tell me every time, anytime.”
Noting that it was after sometime later that he used to reflect over what Col Cham told him, Capt Darboe confirmed: “I also reflected on it when one of my junior officers who has now been promoted, confronted me and said that why I did not compliment him. It pains me so much on that very day. But I took it in good faith, because I know that one day my turn will come.”
According to him, it was until on Monday that Col Cham reminded him about the particular operation, saying it will “commence tomorrow, at 2:00 a m. I said but how? He said you don’t have to worry, because so many people are involve in this. I have made a lot of contacts. And many officers were involved it. He told me you don’t have to worry. I said I have to know those who are involved.”
“He told me about Capt Wassa Camara, Capt Yahya Darboe, Lt. Famara Jammeh, RSM Bah, Capt Seckan, Fanding Sanyang. All these are officers he spoke to me about. I cannot recollect all their names. He told me that these are officers I’ve already contacted and everything is moving on the ground. And for you, your role is just to make public statement after when the whole thing is successful. That’s what he told me,” he explained.
According to him, Col Cham confirmed to him that the “troops in Farafenni are already informed. It was on Tuesday before he left for the NSC meeting. He told me to call one Cpl Mbye Gaye. I didn’t know that Mbye Gaye was at the headquarters. I was informed about Mbye Gaye’s presence at the headquarters by one W.O.2 Gibba. What he told me was that Mbye was supposed to be posted at the state guard as one of the outrider. He said the OC for supply and transport has informed him so that I can talk to my seniors not to post Mbye at the outrider because he was the only clerk for him at that place. I asked him where is Mbye, he said, Mbye came with me and he is with me downstairs. He said W.O.2 Janha said you call him. So, I called Janha and I informed him that Mbye Gaye has been transferred to State Guard. He said the admin. officer told him that Mbye should report to the headquarters and that he was posted to State Guard. And I asked whether any posting have been issued, he said no. Then I replied you should not have allowed the person to leave his post when the posting order was not issued. Then he said I will tell Gibba to tell him to come back.”
He added: “I went to the C.D.S Office and then I asked him whether he is aware of any posting of Mybe Gaye to State Guard. He asked me where is he. He told me to call Mbye. I went downstairs and send somebody to call Mbye. I went with Mbye to the office. He told Mbye “Suma Mbokahga” (relative) in Wolof. He told Mbye “Dehnyo liffin waagee” (overthrow) in Wolof. And that I presumed it was the president. Then I left the office and went to collect the key, because I have to close his office for him. When I came back he told me I am going to the N.S.C (National Security Council) meeting. So you can brief Mbye. So I hinted Mbye about the overthrow and Mbye told me he was not interested. He told me so many things. So I told him I cannot take any decision about this.You have to wait until the C.D.S come and discussed with him further. He said I cannot wait because am not feeling well. It was after when the C.D.S returned that I talk to him what Mbye have told me. Then he asked for Mbye’s number. So, I have to call Yundum to get Mbye mobile number. So the C.D.S spoke to Mbye in my presence and that I heard him saying that Mbye should meet him at his house in Bakau at 5:00. Soon after he spoke to Mbye he told me I am leaving. Then he left the office and I locked the office and handed over the keys.”
Capt Daboe then disclosed: “I received a call from a private number and then the person told me you better watch out, we’ve been informed that there are some officers who are having a meeting at your residence. I told the person no. But am just informing you to watch out. So when the person rang off, I call the C.D.S. I told him that am hearing something. And it seems as if I am the one masterminding this thing and I am not. And he told me you are just jittery and that everything is under control. I told him this is something that’s moved me because I have just been informed that officers are conducting meeting at my place and that did not really happen. There is no meeting at my place. As a result, it seems somebody is framing. Then he told me you are talking too much.
I asked him how the operation was going to be conducted, he told me your role is just to make a statement after it was successful. He told me I intended to give envelopes to officers who are concerned on the ground. And the envelopes contain some tasks for officers who are concerned on the ground. When they open the envelopes they will know exactly what they are supposed to do. According to him, the operation will be carried out at 11.00 instead of 2:00. He gave me the preamble of what needs to be said. And he told me to make a draft. In the first draft I made, he said, the power be handed over to the interim government in 48 hours. That was the first thing he said. But he later changed it 10 days.”
“Fellow Gambians, The Gambia Armed Forces has taken over the country from the regime of President Yahya A.J.J Jammeh. The Gambia under Yahya Jammeh has witnessed social and economic degradation. The cost of living for average Gambians has reached an alarming proportion.
The Gambia Armed Forces has felt that under the present political dispensation, there cannot be no other alternative but to salvage The Gambia from further degradation.
The high command of The Gambia Armed Forces have decided that the power be handed over to an interim government within 10 days from today. The interim government shall be responsible for running the affairs of the state.”
“The writing is mine. My specific role was to make a statement that was all. On that very Tuesday, he called me to his office and informed me that he would want me to inform Cap. Seckan, Cap. Jah, Lt. M.A Bah where they are supposed to be posted. He told me to inform M.A Bah that he was supposed to be at the Fajara barracks. He also asked me to inform Cap. Jah that he was supposed to be at the headquarters. And then he informed me to tell Cap. Seckan that he is supposed to be at the Fajara barracks. I called them and informed them about the developments. They all acknowledged the message,” Bunja said.
According to Capt Darboe, the coup was something he had never thought of this in his military career, and then said: “It is just that I have work with somebody who bear this idea and I was working with him directly. There was no gap between him and I. We were seeing each other everyday. And in a similar contest, I was like his confidential secretary. So I know a lot about him, and he also knows a lot about me. And because of that he was the one who actually made me to believe that this can be done. So I would just have to apologise to the President.”
He confirmed that he has not been “malhandled during the period of the interrogation.”
To be continued |