'They wanted to overthrow regime': Soldiers block off center of Gambian capital

An attempted coup by disaffected soldiers in The Gambia was foiled on Tuesday, military and diplomatic sources said. The apparent coup was launched while the small west African state’s iron-fisted leader was visiting Dubai. Forces loyal to President Yahya Jammeh, who has ruled The Gambia for 20 years, killed three suspects including the alleged ringleader — an army deserter, a military officer said. The officer, speaking to AFP from Bissau, said the deserter named as Lamin Sanneh led a heavily-armed attack with another six men on the presidential palace in the capital Banjul.

Contrary to rumours, there is peace and calm in the country and people are advised to go about their normal businesses. We are praying for peace and tranquility to continue.

A government statement

The pre-dawn assault triggered panic in the tropical city.National radio went off air for several hours and state television was suspended. There was no confirmation of an overall death toll from the fighting. Jammeh, 49, a former head of military police, has ruled the largely rural nation of some 1.8 million people with a firm hand since 1994, when he came to power in a coup Backed by his Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Reconstruction (APRC) party, which enjoys a large majority in parliament, Jammeh has come under fire for serious human rights abuses, including the disappearance of opponents.

Africa