BANJUL: The Gambian government on Wednesday said it had foiled a coup attempt the previous day and arrested four soldiers on conspiracy charges.
“The situation is under complete control,” the Gambian government added.
There was no instant confirmation of the purported attempt from other sources.
Several witness accounts reported soldier movements outside the presidential headquarters in the capital Banjul on Tuesday evening, and during the night, rumours circulated of a possible coup attempt.
“Reacting to intelligence reports that some soldiers of the Gambian army were plotting to overthrow President Adama Barrow’s democratically elected government, the armed forces arrested four soldiers in a swift military operation yesterday. The arrested soldiers are said to be linked to this alleged coup attempt,” said the government.
Fragile democracy in Gambia
“The arrested soldiers are currently helping the military police with their investigations into the failed coup plot.
“Meanwhile, the army is searching for three more alleged accomplices of the arrested soldiers.”
The tiny West African state is a fragile democracy, still scarred by a brutal 22-year dictatorship under Yahya Jammeh. – AFP/APP
