UDP Militants Recount State Guard "Brutality"




The Independent (Banjul)

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

Banjul, the Gambia

Two United Democratic Party (UDP) militants who claimed to have been
arrested by State Guards at Kuli Kunda in Kiang West last Thursday and
eventually taken to Kanilai and subjected to beatings and torture recounted
their ordeal to The Independent.

According to them 15 heavily armed State Guards descended on the village
after a family row which ended up at the Mansakonko Court. They said three
of them were later taken to Kanilai, President Jammeh's home village where
they were brutally tortured and humiliated by soldiers for more than 24
hours.

Basirou Njie and Jansuri Njie, who were hospitalised in a private clinic
after their release said that they were subjected to the most degrading and
inhumane treatment. Basirou, explained that the problem began when he had a
problem with Jerreh his brother's son and that he was surprised that one
Fatoumatta Njie, the APRC area councillor found it necessary to interfere in
the matter and reported it to the Mansakonko Police Station. He added that
despite knowing that the matter was a civil suit the police forwarded the
case to the court, even after the village elders including the Seyfo and the
Alkalo intervened and resolved the matter. He noted that Fatoumatta was not
happy about the outcome and informed the State Guards "through some of her
contacts" that there was a serious row in the village caused by some UDP
militants which has gone beyond the purview of the police. He said that the
State Guards went to Fatoumatta, who he alleged "fabricated lies" against
them, and without even allowing them to speak, they were allegedly forced
into a military vehicle. He noted that all the elders of the village
intervened and informed the soldiers that it was a family matter, which was
amicably resolved, but, according to Basirou the soldiers told them that
they are not policemen and they would not listen to anyone.

One of the alleged victims said they were seriously beaten in the presence
of their wives and children and taken to Kanilai where they were again
tortured by several soldiers under the command of one Lt. Yakuba Badjie. He
said they were forced to "swim" on dirty water, and told to "monkey dance".
Basirou disclosed that all such activities went with severe beatings on
their heads, necks and backs mostly by one soldier called Michael who
boasted of having been in Liberia and witnessing different methods of
killing. He said a pistol was pointed to his head while he was asked which
political party he belonged to. He said since he was scared he told them
that he was a member of the village APRC and was forced to repeat it seven
times with beatings. He disclosed that Lt. Badjie insisted that they should
be tortured more. He claimed that a soldier called Lamin Jammeh was
instructed to beat him. He further alleged that Lt. Badjie told them that
the Jolas were voting and dancing for former President Jawara, but the
Mandinkas have refused to support President Jammeh. He said they were
reminded that in the forthcoming elections soldiers would be prepared to
"kill a lot of people like bedbugs". He alleged that they were also
threatened with death.

He revealed that later elders of their village visited them in Kanilai and
pleaded for their release.

Jansuri Njie, on his part said that the soldiers had said it was legal to
torture them. He alleged that certain top government officials such as the
Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands Momodou Nai Ceesay, the
Secretary of State for the Interior Ousman Badjie and the Chief of Staff of
the Armed Forces Colonel Baboucarr Jatta were aware of their arrest and
detention in Kanilai.

He alleged that it was one Babasanding Njie who advised Fatoumatta Njie to
contact the soldiers and "frame up" a story against the UDP militants.

He said a list of UDP militants were handed over to the soldiers, which
included one Karafanding Njie and others to be arrested.

Meanwhile the National Assembly member for the area Omar Kebba Mass said
that the two gentlemen were in terrible pain following their ordeal. He
added that as their representative, he felt affected and advised Gambians to
appraise the role of our security forces and contrast it with what has
happened to them.

He said security forces should not oppress people and take the law into
their own hands with impunity. Therefore he said no defence could be put up
to justify the alleged torture. Mr. Mass said security forces should not
complicate the political process by harassing and torturing those they are
supposed to defend. He said members of the security forces who are
interested in politics should resign and join the party of their choice.

Mr. Mass indicated that it is the third such incident involving the security
forces in politically motivated acts of torture on civilians. He therefore
called on the Army Chief of Staff to act immediately and explain to Gambians
who authorised the arrest and torture of the UDP supporters. According to
him it is high time the security forces became law abiding. He advised the
people of Kiang West who are behind the UDP to be law abiding but said no
one can prevent them from exercising their constitutional rights.




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