The United States of America the most powerful military force in the world prides itself in protecting members of its service men and women in Uniform. It is known worldwide that if you want the attention of the United States and experience the full force of its economic and military might then dare go after his uniform men, women or citizens. The exceptional service and sacrifice of men and women and their families is one thing that unites this great democratic nation. Even the little kids in Kindergarten know about American uniform men and women. They are celebrated at every level, every sporting event and media outlet. Every freedom loving US citizen admires and appreciates the service of these brave men and women.
It has been a common knowledge and uncompromising principle that the United States does not abandon or leave its uniform men and women on the battle field no matter the circumstances. In one case of prisoner exchange in 2014 for Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl with one of the world’s most brutal terrorists group the Taliban in Afghanistan President Obama made it categorically clear that US does not leave its uniform service men and women on the battle field. Obama said “Whatever those circumstances may turn out to be, we still get an American soldier back if he’s held in captivity. Period. Full stop. We don’t condition that,” Obama said. “That’s what every mom and dad who sees a son or daughter sent over into war theater should expect.”
He further stated that “The United States has always had a pretty sacred rule and that is we don’t leave our men or women in uniform behind,” Obama told reporters during a press conference in Warsaw. The circumstances of that Army Officer’s case and capture are still unclear to many. But what became crystal clear to everyone in the world is that the United States is willing to do anything to get its uniform men and women back from the battle field dead or alive.
In line with that principle and spirit of love for its service personnel many are wondering if the United States will follow the same principles and claim the body of an active US Army Reservist who was brutally killed by Gambian authorities in an alleged coup attempt to overthrow the government of Yahya Jammeh. The late Captain Njagga Jagne’s body was mutilated and left laying in the streets of Banjul for hours. His body was so gruesomely decapitated that due to standard journalistic ethics we cannot share those pictures in the public. However, we stand ready to provide those images to the United States authorities or any human rights activist group. Regardless of what the circumstances of the crime may have been to treat a human being in that manner amounts to nothing less than crimes against humanity.
Although Mr. Jagne and others’ circumstances of death is unclear, but the fact that he was a United States citizen, an active Army Reservists and a former captain in the US army unconditionally qualifies him as deserving of honor and respect for his Services. The United States must claim the body of Captain Jagne from the Gambian authorities who are using it alongside others killed to scare the rest of the population. There is also a convincing argument that Mr. Jagne is a patriotic United States Citizen, married to a United States citizen and has two children who are US citizens. These children and his spouse deserve the full backing of the United States government to ensure that they get their love one’s body back. Everything we heard about the late Captain Jagne’s demise are hear say. There is no evidence yet presented either in the public space or a court of law to proof that Mr. Jagne was involved in an alleged coup. On the contrary there is evidence that he was shot at the back and his body mutilated. There are also convincing arguments that the United States has invaded other countries just to get the dead bodies of their uniform personnel. Therefore the United States government and the Obama administration have the moral obligation to not only claim Mr. Jagne’s body but to fully investigate the circumstances of his death and to hold the Jammeh administration accountable for crime against humanity.
According to Mr. Jagne’s ex-wife the family did not know anything about their love one being involved in an alleged coup or traveled to Africa. She told reporters that he only told her when he dropped their son that he was traveling outside of the country but will be back. She added that “He was trying to go in and save somebody and he didn’t want to leave without them and they shoot him down,” “We have to get his body from the ones that basically killed him,” says a devastated tearful Sharp. Njaga was essentially trying to use his values and principles that he learned in the United States army that no matter the circumstances you cannot leave a fellow soldier or colleague on the battle field. He did exactly what he was trained to do – Rescue your fellow citizens whenever possible. Unfortunately he was gunned down without the ability to fight back.
The least the United States can do through the US embassy in the Gambia is to immediately and unconditionally claim the body of a US citizen and a former army captain. The world’s eyes and ears are glued to the media watching the United States government and the Obama administration who literary ignored the plight of the Gambian people under Yahya Jammeh’s brutal rule until this late hour. There is no question Yahya Jammeh is one of the most brutal dictators Africa has ever experienced. He has consistently oppressed citizens and stifles the press all in his quest to control power. So for the United States government without thorough investigation into the circumstances of the alleged crime arrest citizens and prosecute them under the “neutrality act” only raises eye brows. It is evident that the United States is aware of the gross human rights violations of the Jammeh regime including killing innocent students who were simply exercising their freedom of speech guaranteed by the Gambian constitution.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Jagne’s death, US Gambian citizens and all decent human beings who believe in democracy, human rights and rule of law expect that the US government will step up and claim Jagne’s body. You owe an obligation to the late Jagne’s children and family to ensure that his body is not used for political propaganda. Jagne and many concerned citizens have been calling on Yahya Jammeh and his government to institute political reform, enfranchise Gambian citizens in the Diaspora, free the press and allow level political playing field. This is what is expected of the United States government. It remains to be seen whether the Obama Administration will take this case seriously or simply ignore this gruesome crime against humanity inflicted by another ruthless dictator. Jagne’s body must be honorably returned to the families for proper burial. Should the US government want further information on this issue we can be reached at [email protected]
Authored by Demba Baldeh