Gambian court jails former army, navy chiefs

24 May, 2011

A court in Gambia imposed 20 year jail sentences on Monday on the country's former army and navy chiefs after they were convicted of being involved in a foiled 2006 coup attempt. The case highlights constant security fears in the tiny West African nation.
Admiral Sarjo Fofana, the former head of the navy, was jailed alongside ex-army chief General Langtombong Tamba, who has already been sentenced to death for involvement in a 2009 coup attempt. The pair were convicted by Gambia's Special Criminal Court on a number of charges relating to treason. Six Gambian army officers, including Tamba and the former director of the national intelligence agency, were convicted of treason alongside a local businessman and a Gambia-based Lebanese businessman in the 2009 case.

Read Comments