Attempted Coup Thwarted In Gambia – Government

The Government of Gambia on Wednesday disclosed that an attempted coup in the country on Tuesday was thwarted.

According to the Gambia government, the situation has been brought under control and four soldiers have been arrested.

Gambia government further stated that the soldiers who were apprehended over their link to the alleged coup plot are helping with an investigation by the military police.

It noted that the military police are in pursuit of three more who were reportedly involved in the coup which was thwarted.

The government on Wednesday said, “Based on intelligence reports that some soldiers of the Gambian army were plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Adama Barrow, the (armed forces) in a swift military operation conducted yesterday arrested four soldiers linked to this alleged coup plot.

“The apprehended soldiers are currently helping the military police with their investigations.

“Meanwhile, the army is in pursuit of three more alleged accomplices.”

The West African state is still scarred by a brutal 22-year dictatorship under Yahya Jammeh.

Jammeh was defeated in presidential elections in December 2016 by political newcomer Adama Barrow and fled to Equatorial Guinea, but retains clout back home.

Barrow was re-elected in December 2021 for a second five-year term with 53 per cent of the vote.

He won a narrow victory in legislative elections in April but fell short of an absolute majority in the 58-seat parliament.