MILITARY COUP IN THE GAMBIA: ONE OF THE ORIGINAL PLOTTERS SPEAKS OUT!

BALLA SAIDYKHAN REVEALS WHY TAKING UP ARMS WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY

The attempted military attack on Kartong Military Post in The Gambia has returned to the spotlight following a firsthand account by Balla Saidykhan, who has revealed the circumstances surrounding the plot. According to Saidykhan, the idea of attacking the military installation emerged during an informal gathering over attaya in Ziguinchor, Senegal, where a group of young Gambian men were struggling with difficult living conditions, financial hardship and homesickness. Saidykhan identifies the late Lt. L. F. Jammeh as the man who proposed the attack, but insists that he personally questioned the plan and objected to it. His testimony offers a rare insider’s account of the events leading up to the Kartong Barracks attack and the circumstances that he believes motivated those involved. Below is his full testimony.

BY BALLA SAIDYKHAN

Today, I read the story about the late Lt. Lamin Jarjou, and I want to set the record straight regarding the circumstances that led to the decision to attack.

Our living conditions in Ziguinchor were far from favourable. We were homesick, and our general living conditions and way of life were terrible.

Although I was staying in town with my relatives at Lindjan and later moved to Nyaflen, Perizack, the others were accommodated at a Military Police barracks near the Governor’s residence.

They were provided with free meals, but there was a catch: if you were not present at mealtime, you would go without food. There was no financial support available to us, and at that time, we were young men, full of life and ambition.

Eventually, financial pressure began to take its toll.

We had no choice but to engage in petty jobs to earn enough money to meet our basic needs, including soap, body oil, toothpaste and other personal necessities.

We started visiting the artisanal market, where we used sandpaper to polish handicrafts produced by local craftsmen. Later, we moved to SONACOS, which was similar to the Gambia Produce Marketing Board (GPMB), where we worked as labourers.

It was there that we discovered another opportunity.

The passenger vessel Le Joola was operating in the area, and we began carrying passengers’ luggage onto the vessel in exchange for small payments.

Although this work was easier than our previous jobs, securing the opportunity was another struggle altogether.

To work at the terminal, one needed a ticket or authorisation. Consequently, whenever the vessel was expected, we would sleep around the terminal to secure a place in the queue for those tickets.

Believe me, brother, it was not easy.

We went through hell.

Sometimes, we were chased away from the terminal. On other occasions, we were not even allowed to sit around nearby compounds.

Remember, Ziguinchor was a heavily militarised zone at the time because of rebel activities in the region.

Life was extremely difficult.

Then came the morning that changed everything.

We were sitting together, drinking attaya, when the idea of attacking the Kartong military barracks was raised.

The late Lt. L. F. Jammeh suggested:

“Why don’t we try to attack the nearest military camp?”

Kartong was the closest military installation.

However, I immediately questioned the proposed modus operandi and objected to the idea.

Despite my objections, the others continued planning the operation.

I did not become aware of what had happened until I heard the news over the radio.

But I want people to understand one thing: the entire situation arose from the extremely difficult conditions under which we were living at that time.

Those circumstances, the hardship, the financial difficulties and the struggle for survival, contributed to the events that followed.

By Balla Saidykhan

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