Gainako has reliably learned that the six Gambian Soldiers sentenced by a military Court Marshal yesterday in the Gambia for alleged involvement in various offenses may have been prosecuted for protesting against an unexplained salary cut of $300 per month – equivalent of D11, 700 Gambian Dalasis while serving in Darfur.
The sentences were handed down since January 27, 2014 but were only released to the Government mouthpiece the Daily Observer today and carried on their March 12th publication which reported that six of the soldiers were given different sentence terms ranging from one and half year (20 months) to two plus years (27 months). The offenses as outlined on the press release listed charges such as “failure to perform military duty and disobedience of lawful command, offence of scandalous conduct of officers among others.
Among the soldiers who faced the Court Marshal and given various sentences at the Yundum Barracks were; Major Musa Gibba (23 months) , Lt Ebrima JB Kujabi (23 months), W01 Ceesay Suwaibu (22 Months), W02 Drammeh Karamo (22 months), Cpl Waggeh Lamin B (12 months) and L/Cpl Sowe Muhammed (27 months). Mr. Sowe received the most sentenced for 27 months on a charge of scandalous conduct.
The peace keeping soldiers’ serving in Darfur which has been a lucrative mission for the soldiers for the last several years reportedly receive $1028 Salary which is paid by the United Nations. Compare to their regular meager salaries in Gambia earning $1028 (D40,000) Gambian Dalasis a month is a huge incentive for poor soldiers who receive an average of 4,000 to 6,000 Dalasis (Under $200) a month.
However, many soldiers who served in Darfur have confirmed that $300 (D11, 700) is being cut from their salaries and allegedly paid to the Gambia government. In addition, there is a $28 charge which also goes towards some other fees. The sources mostly from angry soldiers indicated that they have no idea why they are being cut that much money and were never told what or where the funds go.
As a result, many are speculating that the six soldiers who faced the Court Marshal may have protested the reduction of their salaries without notice. Under a normal democratic and open society the press could go to the commanders or ministry of defense and ask these questions. However, given the tight control of information and draconian media laws the press is not able to verify who receives the $300 cut from the Soldiers’ salary. Readers may recall that peace keeping missions are a source of unhappiness and protest for soldiers. Whatever the case may be the Gambian authorities owes these soldiers and their families the responsibility to disclose where and who receives the funds from the soldiers’ Salaries.