Army Denies Coup Plot





The Independent (Banjul)

August 10, 2001
Posted to the web August 10, 2001

Alhagie Mbye
Banjul, the Gambia

The Gambia National Army (GNA), through its Public Relations Officer Lt.
Gano has categorically dismissed reports of a coup d'etat against the
government.

The GNA which, claimed there are no subversive activities within the army,
said there had been no plan by its soldiers to seize power.

The GNA's reaction comes amidst reports, which reached The Independent that
some soldiers had intended to stage a coup during the early morning hours of
Monday. Reports had intimated that the alleged plot was leaked to the
authorities by loyalists in the army who moved to foil it. According to
reports a shootout lasting several hours ensued between loyalists and the
alleged coupists. Three unidentified soldiers were arrested and questioned
over the alleged incident reports suggested.

Reports also say it was difficult to identify those behind the alleged plot
after some suspects denied any knowledge of it.

Meanwhile soldiers were seen on Monday afternoon unusually milling around
Fajara and Yundum barracks fully armed. What has been described as a quiet
investigation was said to have been launched. However, Lt. Gano maintained
that there has never been any coup nor are reports suggesting subversive
activities in the army true. He said The Gambia National Army is a stable
security institution preoccupied with its mandate to defend the people. Gano
who said he was not at the Fajara barracks on Monday claimed that he was at
the Yundum barracks for an official mission where he claimed no subversive
or abnormal activity was evident.

Gano however, acknowledged that a soldier died a week before the passing out
ceremony of some army recruits and that his colleagues were being mobilised
for his funeral. He said soldiers were moving around with flashing
headlights from the military training school and later to Kaur from where
the dead soldier hailed.

Several attempts to get in touch with Army Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Baboucarr
Jatta for more details proved futile.



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