10 Gambian soldiers have been charged by a military court with treason and mutiny for allegedly plotting to overthrow the country’s newly elected government led by President Adama Barrow.
The alleged coup plot is reported to have taken place in July. The Gambian government in July detained at least 23 soldiers loyal to former leader Yahya Jammeh for the alleged revolt plot.
An opposition activist, Lamin Tamba was reported by local media to have said that “What they are doing is to create an imbalance and purge the army of anyone they believe was close to the former government without following due process.”
Tamba said “No reasons have been given by the government for detaining these soldiers and they have not been charged or arraigned before a military tribunal, whatsoever. This is political.”
On Monday the court charged ten of the soldiers with AFP reporting that the 10 soldiers “prepared or endeavoured to overthrow the democratically elected government of The Gambia by unlawful means and thereby committed an offence,” according to a court document.
President Adama Barrow is reforming the West African nation ruled by exiled leader, Yahya Jammeh for decades.
Former president Jammeh came to power through a military coup in 1994, and was forced to exit power in January after losing a presidential election to Adama Barrow.
Source: Africafeeds.com
