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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Mar 2006 : 09:42:07
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ATTEPTED COUP D’ETAT
On Monday, 21st March 2006 President Jammeh arrived in Nouakchott, Mauritania for a three day working visit. However on Tuesday, 21st March 2006 he was reported to be back in the country. There was no announcement of his return and no call for the usual welcoming ceremony by state official and inspection of guard of honor.
Foroyaa was reliably informed that security was being reinforced in Banjul on Tuesday before his arrival.
Heightened security developed at the Denton Bridge, the prisons and other strategic junctions. Military men searched transports as if they were looking for people who were at large. On Wednesday Foroyaa spoke to the SOS for Interior to inform him of the rumours of a coup d’etat. He explained that routine checks were being conducted by the army. He did not explain the purpose of the intensification of security measures.
Foroyaa continued to monitor the situation on Wednesday morning only to discover that arrest have been made and that Colonel Ndure Cham, the Chief of Defence staff was at large. Conflicting rumours intensified regarding the soldiers under arrest and detention. By midday Office of the President issued a press release indicating that a group of army officer led by Colonel Ndure Cham were at an advanced stage in their plot to overthrow the government.
The public is informed that there is no cause for alarm.
However, they claim that the public should not aid and abet Ndure Cham. It is still confusing how advanced the cup plot was and who were involved. At the time of going to press it was claimed that he had been arrested.
What analyses of coups d’etat have revealed is that they can be orchestrate by officers or junior rankers. Coup by junior rankers can be successful only if the soldiers in the various sections, companies, platoons and battalions rebel against the officers and refuse to accept their command. When that happens armies become ungovernable and governments also tumble for lack of security. On the other hand, coup by officers are usually organized through agreement by the unit heads. This often goes down to the level of all the command structures. Once the commanders of the units agree and they have effective control of their units a coup d’etat takes place. Foroyaa is still gathering information to find out what type of coup d’etat was at an advanced stage. The government should however be very objective in its arrest and detention. The wrong method can lead to uncertainty.
Foroyaa has always maintained that building a democratic society where the people are fully conscious that power belongs to them is the best way of consolidating peace and security. The reconciliation talks by President Obasanjo has stated the way forward. Political parties should now demonstrate their sincerity to the people so that they become convinced and are assured of a peaceful route to address their vital needs and concerns.
The greatest enemy to stability and peace is a state of hopelessness among the people. Those who wish to contribute to peace must give hope and confidence that they can attain their objectives through peaceful means. This is the challenge to all political parties as we head towards the 2006 presidential election. Political leaders should digest the critical situation in the country and start convincing the people that they can address their vital concerns. This is a guarantee to peace.
COUP PLOT FOILED
By Yaya Dampha
Coup plot was reported to have been foiled on Tuesday evening continuing till the early hours of Wednesday. According to reports Lt. Col. Ndure Cham is said to be the leader of the coup plotters. The report indicated that the PRO Bunja Darboe, Major Sampierre Mendy and Major Abdou Jah are among the arrestees and that they are helping intelligence agents with their investigation. It is also reported that the alleged coup leader, Lt. Col. Ndure Cham is still at large and that he was last seen around the Brufut area. However another source has informed Foroyaa that the Chief of Defence Staff, Ndure Cham was also arrested at the Kartong beach while attempting to cross to the Cassamance. A press release issued by the President’s Office, published below, has not revealed the names nor the number of the arrestees.
When our reporter visited Yundum and the armed force head quarters in Banjul he found headily armed soldiers moving in and out. He was also informed that the Vice President Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy was asked to stay at home and not to report for work. The head of Stat who was on a working visit to the Republic of Mauritania was also said to have had an emergency landing on Tuesday night at Banjul International Airport. Below is a press release from the Office of the President
PRESS RELEASE ON THE COUP PLOT
The General Public is hereby informed that in the course of conducting routine security surveillance, the security forces discovered in the late hours of yesterday (Tuesday) that a group of army officers led by Colonel Ndure Cham, former Chief of Defence Staff were at an advanced stage in their plot to overthrow the constituted government of the Republic of The Gambia.
All those involved are presently tinder custody and helping the security forces in their investigation, except the leader who is still at large.
He was last seen driving a Renault Megane (KM 7171 A) within the vicinity of Brufut. The general public is hereby urged to come forward with any useful information on his whereabouts. This should be reported to the nearest security agency through the following numbers:
I 12-Police
4224247- Army
4225771- Army
The general public is further warned that any attempt to assist the fugitive tantamounts to aiding and abetting which is a punishable offence.
While thanking them in anticipation for their cooperation and patriotism, the general public is hereby assured that there is no cause for alarm as the situation is firmly under control. They can go about their normal business as usual.
Meanwhile, His Excellency the President of the Republic is pleased to appoint Lt. Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba as Chief of Defence Staff, with promotion to the rank of Colonel, Major Peter Singateh is hereby appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to the rank of Lt, Colonel, Mr. Harry Sambou is hereby appointed Acting Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, while Mr. Ngorr Secka is hereby appointed Acting Deputy Director General of the NIA.
All the foregoing appointments are with immediate effect.
SOURCE: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.22/2006, 23-26 March,2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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