Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Moments before being sentenced to 67 years and 6 months in prison for his role in torture under The Gambia’s former regime, Michael Sang Correa delivered an emotional plea in a U.S. courtroom, acknowledging the suffering of his victims while lamenting the heavy toll his actions have taken on his family.
Correa, who was convicted on six torture-related charges for his role as a member of the notorious “Junglers” unit under President Yahya Jammeh, told the court that he accepts full responsibility for his actions, describing them as “wrong” and “unacceptable.”
“Firstly, there is no doubt the victims were tortured,” Correa said, his voice subdued. “I am not negating the pain and suffering they went through, neither should I underestimate the reality of their experiences. There is no doubt that they were horrifically tortured physically and emotionally in ways that would burden them today. I would like to sincerely apologize from my heart. I am sorry for my involvement and actions causing physical harm to the people. Nobody should go through torture.”
But beyond acknowledging his crimes, Correa spoke at length about the anguish his conduct has brought upon his family, particularly his three sons — Eric, Joaquin, and Echen.
With visible regret, he admitted that his actions had “failed” them, exposing them to harassment, ridicule, and even physical attacks back home in The Gambia.
“My actions have subjected them to harassment by neighbors… random people in the streets, some of which left their schoolmates and classmates physically attacking them in school,” he said.
“Now they have stopped going to school. I am not proud of what I did. My actions have brought sin and dishonor. I have failed my sons, my sisters, and my family.”
Correa also reflected on his upbringing, noting that his parents raised him with values of truth, humility, and Christian faith. He insisted he was not “a rogue soldier who takes pleasure or enjoyment in torturing people” but admitted that, in the climate of fear that followed the 2006 coup attempt in Gambia, he became complicit in atrocities.
During his nearly six years in detention awaiting trial, Correa said he battled depression, anxiety, and failing eyesight but tried to use the time to better himself, taking psychology and other classes. Still, he conceded that nothing could erase the consequences of his actions.
“I was born into a family that taught me love, respect, and hard work,” he told the court. “Yet my actions betrayed those values. I take responsibility.”
U.S. District Judge Christine M. Arguello, who presided over the case, later imposed the 810-month sentence, describing it as fitting but still insufficient to capture the horrors inflicted on the victims.
For Correa, the final words before his sentencing reflected a man grappling with guilt, shame, and the irreparable damage done not only to his victims but also to those closest to him.
