“I made a miraculous escape after making it believe that I had no reason to resist. Believe me sir, the country under Jammeh has the most inefficient intelligent service on the African continent.”

“Well Mr Mbai, I could not have chosen life in exile had I not been threatened. I had reliable evidence that Jammeh preferred me dead on the fateful day of 22 June, 2000, and so I had to flee for my life. The team that came to collect me from my office in Kerewan was led by one Foday Barry, Director of operations, NIA, and also included a Hydara and a Sowe. I made a miraculous escape after making it believe that I had no reason to resist. Believe me sir, the country under Jammeh has the most inefficient intelligent service on the African continent. They informed me that I was required in Banjul probably on promotion grounds. But going by their attitude on arrive, that theory could not be possible. No, I did not run because I was guilty of any crime, but as I told the Independent newspaper a day after my departure, I ran for my life. Under a true democratic dispensation one would be obliged to remain so as to clear his name.” said the Erstwhile Junta Spokesman and Former North Bank Division Commissioner Alhagie Kanteh. Speaking in an Exclusive interview  with the Freedom Newspaper at his Swiss Residence, Captain Kanteh recounted how he escaped when NIA officers led by Foday Barry came to pick him up at his office in Kerewan. Kanteh tells the Freedom Newspaper that President Jammeh was after his head at the material time and he therefore deem it imperative to run for his life. Captain Kanteh who was accused of coup plot alongside with his Cousin Lieutenant Lalo Jaiteh and others briefly resided in Dakar, Senegal prior to securing sanctuary in Swiss. In this marathon interview, Captain Kanteh reflects on his past encounter with the NIA, the death of journalist Deyda Hydara, the murder of Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay, the massacre of 14 Gambian students, the November 11 incident, Sanna Bairo Sabally and a host of other issues. Below is full text of the interview. Please read on….

Freedom Newspaper: What led to your sudden departure from The Gambia? What went wrong?

Alhagie Kanteh: Well Mr Mbai, I could not have chosen life in exile had I not been threatened. I had reliable evidence that Jammeh preferred me dead on the fateful day of 22 June, 2000, and so I had to flee for my life.

Freedom Newspaper: It's gathered that when Pa Mbye, the then OC of Crime Management and other Security officials came to pick you up at the Kerrewan Commissioner's office, you cleverly asked to be given permission to visit the rest room. In the process, you absconded from the jurisdiction of The Gambia. You were at the time wanted in connection with an alleged foiled coup led by former ADC Lt.Lalo Jaiteh and others.? What happened on the day in question?

Alhagie Kanteh: Point of correction: the team that came to collect me from my office in Kerewan was led by one Foday Barry, Director of operations, NIA, and also included a Hydara and a Sowe. I made a miraculous escape after making it believe that I had no reason to resist. Believe me sir, the country under Jammeh has the most inefficient intelligent service on the African continent. They informed me that I was required in Banjul probably on promotion grounds. But going by their attitude on arrive, that theory could not be possible.

Freedom Newspaper: Why running? Were you guilty of any crime?

Alhagie Kanteh: No, I did not run because I was guilty of any crime, but as I told the Independent newspaper a day after my departure, I ran for my life. Under a true democratic dispensation one would be obliged to remain so as to clear his name.

Freedom Newspaper: Was there any coup in making as claimed by the Government?

Alhagie Kanteh: Your guess is as good as mine.

Freedom Newspaper: Why don't you stay in the country, like Lt.Jaiteh, Lt. Darboe, Dumo Sarho and others did to clear your name from the allegations brought against you?

Alhagie Kanteh: I have already answered that question.

Freedom Newspaper: Is it true that you forced your driver at the material time to help you leave the country? What role have your driver played for your escape?

Alhagie Kanteh: My driver was merely performing his rightful duty. Yes, indeed he played a pivotal role in my escape though he never felt compelled. He was more than a driver.

Freedom Newspaper: What happened to your driver after he drove you to Dakar?

Alhagie Kanteh: I understand he was abused for merely doing his job. Kassim was forced to disclose my whereabouts which he eventually did. Fortunately, it was too late - I was out of the enemy’s reach.

Freedom Newspaper: What relationship do you have with Lt.Lalo Jaiteh, who was freed by the High Court on charges of treason?

Alhagie Kanteh: Lalo is my cousin.

Freedom Newspaper: Evidence adduced before the said treason trial did indicates that you were supposed to be the interim leader of the said coup, if it emerges to be successful. What do you make out of the state's allegations?

Alhagie Kanteh: Rubbish!

Freedom Newspaper: Do you know an Italian called Francisco Caso?

Alhagie Kanteh: Yes I do. At the time he was the so-called expert contracted by Jammeh to train troops on counter-terrorism and insurgency. I had always doubted his ability to deliver. As such he was highly suspicious of me.

Freedom Newspaper: Caso claimed in his testimony that you and the other accused persons were posed to ambush and kill the President during his Kanilai/Banjul trips. Your reaction?

Alhagie Kanteh: I am not aware of any such moves either by me or any other person or group at the time .If anything, Francis the hustler, was only trying to win the confidence of an paranoiac leader.

Freedom Newspaper: You were charged with treason in absentia. Are your hands clean?

Alhagie Kanteh: You know what? I `m no stranger to bogus chargers. In August 1994 too such charges were preferred against me just to be dropped three months later unconditionally. In both cases there was not an iota of truth to support them.

Freedom Newspaper: Who helped you to resettle in Swiss? Was it a difficult process?

Alhagie Kanteh: I did not need a legal council for help. I represented myself throughout the process which took about 10 months to complete. No, it was not hitch-free but thank Allah everything turned out ok.

Freedom Newspaper: Where were you on July 22ND 1994?

Alhagie Kanteh: I was in my home village of Njaba-Kunda attending the funeral of a brother who passed away in Germany. That event had a toll on my concentration and alertness at the time.

Freedom Newspaper: Do you regret serving President Jammeh's Government?

Alhagie Kanteh: Absolutely. On hindsight, I wish I had followed my original instinct of leaving the country immediately after my incarceration in 1994. In any case the point of consolation is that I did not allow anybody to use me against the dictates of commonsense.

Freedom Newspaper: Today, you can say President Jammeh is bad, but you used to be one of his praise singers. As a former Army Spokesman you used to sing Jammeh's praises during July 22ND celebrations and other functions. Your views?

Alhagie Kanteh: Well if that is a common believe among Gambians I would be grossly disappointed. For one thing, I was on numerous occasions referred to as, "a voice of moderation and sanity within the establishment". As a matter of fact I was never afraid of advising Jammeh on matters of common good. For instance, Following his election victory in 1996, While I was Commissioner in Western Division, I visited Jammeh at the State House to congratulate him. I used that opportunity to offer him a few advices. On that occasion I publicly warned the Head of State to treat all Gambians regardless of political leaning, with maximum respect. Or would you call this too sycophancy. History will be the judge.

Freedom Newspaper: What led to your strained relationship with Jammeh?

Alhagie Kanteh: To my mind we do not share chemistry. My expectation of the young generation of leadership that suddenly came to the helm was so to speak, at variance with that of most soldiers, in particular, President Jammeh.

Freedom Newspaper: Have you killed or harassed any political opponent or members of the media while serving the Gambian National Army?

Alhagie Kanteh: Well Pa I guess you were part of the Gambian Press at the time. Could you share with your readership any particular incident linking me to abuse of office?

Freedom Newspaper: What was your worse moment while serving the Jammeh regime?

Alhagie Kanteh: The general lack of direction of the regime kept bothering me to this day.

Freedom Newspaper: Who killed former Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay?

Alhagie Kanteh: I have no clue.

Freedom Newspaper: In your own view, what must have led to Koro's death? Any clues?

Alhagie Kanteh: An impartial, independent investigation could have shed light on the unfortunate incident. Of course going by the reluctance of the State to seriously investigate into this high profile case, one can not rule out foul play.

Freedom Newspaper: As a former Army Spokesman, what action have the Government taken to pursue the killers of Koro?

Alhagie Kanteh: Not anything I am aware of.

Freedom Newspaper: Do you know Koro at a personal level? If yes, what type of person was Koro Ceesay?

Alhagie Kanteh: I did not know Korro personally, nor have I ever meet him. One thing is clear though: Korro was highly educated, efficient and a role model for the Gambian youth.

Freedom Newspaper: You were quoted as saying that Foday Makalo, the missing APRC Administrative Secretary was murdered by the Ruling APRC and buried at Alhagie Tabora Manneh's garden in Barra. What proofs do you have to back up your claims?

Alhagie Kanteh: Who quoted me and when? I never said anything like that. Infact if anything , I have evidence of the existence of Mr Makalo. The man is currently engaged in a successful business within the West African sub region.

Freedom Newspaper: Where were you when Foday Makalo was being allegedly murdered?

Alhagie Kanteh: I consider this subject closed.

Freedom Newspaper: Why should Foday be murdered in the first place?

Alhagie Kanteh: Sorry

Freedom Newspaper: What other crime have the Jammeh Government committed, which you would like to share with our readers?

Alhagie Kanteh: Under the present climate in which we live as Gambians, I believe it is more than mere rumors that the Jammeh regime does not respect human life. In saying this my thoughts are with the families of our departed souls such as uncle Deyda Hydara, Ouman Korro Ceesay, the numerous Officers and soldiers of the GNA, Omar Barrow and the 14 students of April 10/11, 2000 ,of recent the brutal massacre of 44 Ghanaians and a host of other deaths still unexplained by the Jammeh regime. But of course these are no crimes the Jammeh regime is even prepared to discuss. But as the saying goes, "he who laughs last, laughs the best".

Freedom Newspaper: What can you tell us about the November 11 abortive coup?

Alhagie Kanteh: It was a day of mass massacre of our comrades. Whatever might have happen, those poor soldiers deserved a fair trial and not extra-judicial Killings.

Freedom Newspaper: Was this a coup or just a set up?

Alhagie Kanteh: I would not know the facts. I was in detention at the time . I was released within 48 hours of the incident. But I suppose the regime was bent on eliminating some of it’s opponents within the military.

Freedom Newspaper: Can you furnish us with the names of the soldiers who might have been killed during the said foiled coup?

Alhagie Kanteh: Well the ones I know are: Lt Basiru Barrow, the alleged coup leader; Lt Dot Fall; 2Lt Bakary Manneh; OCDT Sillah; Lt Saye; Fafa Nyang and others that I have not named.

Freedom Newspaper: How was your relationship with Sana Sabally? Was it cordial?

Alhagie Kanteh: Not cordial at all.

Freedom Newspaper: Sabally had claimed that he was the brain behind the 1994 coup. From your own understanding, who was the real pioneer of the said coup?

Alhagie Kanteh: I prefer not to dwell on this subject at the moment. This should be a part of future narratives. As soldiers we believe that only soldiers can write their own story. On this note I would like to congratulate Lt Col Samsudeen Sarr on his book, "Coup d`etat By the Gambia National Army" and to assure the public that this will not be the only version of the tragic event that plunged our country into misrule.

Freedom Newspaper: Is The Gambian army politicized?

Alhagie Kanteh: Very well.

Freedom Newspaper: Is tribalism a major problem in the Gambian Army today?

Alhagie Kanteh: Like in the civil sector, the GNA has more than its fair share of tribalism in the country. Perhaps it would be wise to caution against anti- Jola sentiments. They are not to collectively blame for the present mess. The future shall usher in peace and tribal harmony on the smiling coast.

Freedom Newspaper: Do you think President Jammeh will leave office peacefully?

Alhagie Kanteh: There are no signs of that at least in the sub-conscious of Jammeh.

Freedom Newspaper: What is the way out to free oppressed Gambians?

Alhagie Kanteh: A peaceful change of administration would help preserve our national identity and heritage. The Gambia is greater than any single Gambian no matter how powerful one may be. History keeps repeating itself. Dictatorship has a place only in the past.

Freedom Newspaper: Do you still have your military skills? Are you still capable of leading company during warfare?

Alhagie Kanteh: I can still fire a few accurate shots.

Freedom Newspaper: If President Jammeh was captured today, how do you want him to be treated?

Alhagie Kanteh: In accordance with the dictates of the law even though this is an alien concept to him.

Freedom Newspaper: What type of soldier was Jammeh? Is he brave as he claimed to be?

Alhagie Kanteh: Bravery to my mind is sum total of moral and spiritual courage a leader exhibits at times of need. A leader lacking these basic tenets cannot be considered brave. Any leader who claims to know more than everybody should be considered stupid. In the same vein any leader who brags of exaggerated bravery that leader must be considered weak.

Freedom Newspaper: Living in exile is not easy. Do you missed the Gambia?

Alhagie Kanteh: Naturally

Freedom Newspaper: Any final word?

Alhagie Kanteh: I would like to urge Gambians to unite around issues of fundamental importance in these trying times in the history of our beloved nation. Tribe has never divided us nor will it ever do no matter how much some narrow nationalists would want us to believe.

Freedom Newspaper: Thanks Mr.Kanteh for granting us this interview.

Alhagie Kanteh: Thanks Pa, Good to talk to you. Keep up the good work for the motherland. We appreciate your efforts.