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In The Gambia, authorities have given details for the first time of the coup attempt they claim to have foiled on December 20 in Banjul. A statement was read out to the media on Thursday, December 29, in the Gambian capital by the National Security Advisor at Defense Headquarters.
The authors of the coup attemptwhich Gambian authorities say they foiled last week, had planned to ” arrest senior government officials and use them as hostages to prevent foreign intervention according to the text of the statement read Thursday in the Gambian capital of Banjul.
The text also specifies that they ” also intended to withdraw (of their functions) all senior army officers from the rank of major and above, as well as to restructure the Gambia Armed Forces “, assured Abubakarr Suleiman Jeng, the national security adviser.
The Gambian authorities explain having discovered the composition of the formation which was to participate in the attempted coup, as well as the plan to seize power. Clandestine preparatory meetings would have taken place, in identified places inside the country. Complicities of civilians, inside and outside The Gambia, are also mentioned.
Several people were arrested in connection with this case: seven soldiers and a politician. He was a minister under the regime of Yahya Jammeh and whose release the UDP party is demanding.
A commission of inquiry was set up on Tuesday, December 27. Its report is expected within a month.
►Read also: Gambia: the shadow of Yahya Jammeh hangs over the foiled coup
