Banjul (Gambia), Jan 8 (IANS): Gambian authorities have revealed names of the dissidents who were involved in the coup attempt that failed to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh's regime last month.
The dissidents were armed with night-vision goggles, body armour and semi-automatic rifles bought to the Gambia from the US through a shipment in a container hidden beneath clothes.
The presidential palace was attacked while Jammeh, who they codenamed "Chuck", was away on a private visit to Dubai.
Among those named are Lamin Sanneh, a former lieutenant colonel of the Gambia Armed Forces and former commander of the State Guards Battalion; Njaga Jagne, a retired captain of the US Army; Babucarr Ann Lowe (Bai Lowe), a former warrant officer class 2 of the Gambia Armed Forces.
Cherno Njie, a successful businessman in Texas, US, Mustapha Faal, a Gambian resident in Germany, and Alhaji Saidy Barrow, coordinator of the group which was responsible for logistics and clearing of their weapons and other gadgets from the sea port were also involved.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, documents retrieved from the dissidents have revealed their plan to arrest and kill service chiefs and other high-ranking and prominent individuals in the country.
"It is clear from the documents retrieved from the attackers that this operation was well planned and the documents have revealed their intention to destroy key infrastructure, including the Central Bank of the Gambia building, Denton Bridge, Gamtel House, Kotu power station among other national assets," Xinhua quoted her as saying in a televised statement Wednesday night.
Macdouall-Gaye said that Sanneh, Jagne, Ann Lowe, private Modou Njie of the Gambia Armed Forces and Private Landing Sonko, an active member of the Gambia Armed Forces and also an orderly of Sanneh, launched their assault from the main gate of the State House via the Albert Market while three others attempted to enter the presidential palace via the rear gate on Marina Parade.
"During the exchange of fire at the main gate, Sanneh and Jagne were killed, Lowe and Sonko escaped while Modou Njie was captured and is currently helping the intelligence service with the investigations," she noted.
Musa Sarr, a former lance corporal of the Gambia Armed Forces, Papa Faal, a retired sergeant in the US Army, Alhaji Nyass, a former personnel of the defunct Gambia National Gendarmerie, and former private Dawda Bojang of the Gambia Armed Forces, launched the attack from the rear gate of the presidential palace, according to the official.
"During the attack, Papa Faal positioned a heavy machine gun by the entrance of the accident and emergency unit of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital and repeatedly fired rounds at the gate," the official said in a statement.
The minister revealed that during the shootout, Alhaji Nyass who attempted to ram his vehicle at the gate of State House, and Dawda Bojang who was dressed in military uniform and body armour and positioned himself by a heavy machine gun were also killed while Musa Sarr and Papa Faal took to their heels leaving behind their equipment and military attires.
Other members of the group, Njie, the main sponsor of the dissidents and proposed interim leader, and Alhaji Saidy Barrow were stationed at Brufut heights some 25 km from Banjul. She said that both men fled the country after the coup was foiled.
Another member of the group, Mustapha Faal is reported to have deserted the group before the attack and his whereabouts are not known.
A large quantity of arms, including two heavy machine guns, and 11 satellite pro-communication devices were recovered, the minister said.