Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Sanna Manjang on Tuesday continued his defense testimony before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh at the High Court in Banjul, detailing his military career and role as patrol commander in Kanilai while denying that he was responsible for selecting soldiers deployed to the area.
The State is represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Dougan and State Counsel A. Badjie, while Manjang is represented by Counsel S.K. Jobe.
Taking the witness stand, Manjang told the court that he lives in Brikama with his children and served as a military officer in the Gambia Armed Forces.
He testified that he enlisted in the Gambia Army Training School in 1994, where he completed six months of military training before being posted to Fajara Barracks as an infantry soldier.
According to Manjang, he served in that capacity for about two years before being promoted and assigned responsibility for maintaining discipline among soldiers at Fajara Barracks.
He further told the court that he was later selected for a three-month commando training course at Yundum Training School, which he described as extremely difficult and dangerous.
Manjang said the course was conducted by Libyan instructors and that he graduated as the best trainee in his batch, earning him an appointment as lead trainer at Fajara Barracks.
Patrol Commander at Kanilai
The accused testified that he was subsequently transferred to Kanilai, where he reported to a commander identified as Kalifa Bajinka.
According to Manjang, Bajinka informed him that he would serve as patrol commander, making him the first officer assigned to lead the patrol unit in Kanilai.
He acknowledged that he had little prior knowledge of patrol operations when he assumed the role.
Manjang told the court that the border region was experiencing heightened insecurity because of clashes between Senegalese forces and rebel groups in Casamance. He said his primary responsibility was to protect Gambian communities living in the area.
He testified that approximately 100 soldiers were deployed from Banjul to Kanilai for one-month patrol rotations following a directive issued by the then State House commander and former State Security Service (SDS) Director Ousman Badjie.
However, Manjang denied having any role in selecting members of the patrol team, insisting that he only commanded those assigned to him.
He further claimed that his knowledge of the Gambia-Casamance border exceeded that of any other officer and said he remained head of the patrol unit until February 2, 2017.
Manjang also attributed his rapid promotions, including his advancement to the ranks of Major and later Lieutenant, to his operational experience and the demanding assignments he undertook during his military career.
Testimony on Border Rescue Mission
The accused also recounted what he described as a successful military operation to rescue Gambian nationals allegedly captured by Casamance rebels.
He testified that a superior officer identified as Bora instructed him to confront the rebels and secure the captives’ release.
According to Manjang, he pursued one of the rebels, who initially did not fire at him but eventually opened fire after sustained exchanges. He said he shot the rebel, causing him to lose his balance.
Manjang told the court that after approximately 45 minutes, the operation ended with the safe rescue of the captives.
He said no one suffered serious injuries during the operation, except for one individual who sustained a minor injury to the mouth.
The accused added that his area of operational responsibility extended from Kampasa to Almadia.
Charges Before the Court
Manjang is facing two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm under Section 228 of the Criminal Code.
The first count alleges that in March 2006, at the premises of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), while serving in the Gambia Armed Forces and allegedly as a member of a group identified in the charge sheet as the “Black Black” or “Junglers,” he assaulted Tamsir Jasseh by beating and kicking him, causing severe bodily injuries.
The second count alleges that during the same month in Banjul, Manjang assaulted military officer Yaya M.S. Darboe by beating him with sticks, pouring molten plastic on his body, tying him inside a sack, and winching him up, causing serious injuries and bleeding to his face, body, and leg.
The allegations remain before the High Court. Manjang has denied the charges and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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