Where is Jammeh moving the bodies of December 30th, 2014 Attackers?
For six months Gainako’s embedded reporter in Banjul closely monitored soldiers guarding the dead bodies of the alleged State House Attackers at the Mortuary at the RVTH now called Edward Francis Small Hospital. Our reporter has uncovered that the bodies of the December 30th 2014 Coup victims have now been moved. The bodies of the deceased were discretely moved overnight to an unknown destination. Many Gambians may recalled the vivid photos of the deceased after the failed coup on the eve of New Years day. Since then family members have been wondering what happens to the bodies. They have all along been kept at the Mortuary as the administration in Banjul did not know what to do or was worried about how to handle the bodies of the former soldiers hailed in the Diaspora as “freedom fighters”.
Many passers by and Gambians within and outside of the country have constantly wondered why the Jammeh administration continue to keep dead bodies contrary to Islamic religious teachings or customs and traditions in Gambia. Islam clearly teaches that dead bodies must be disposed off and laid to rest within a reasonable period of time – mostly within 24 t0 48 hours. But the Jammeh administration which pride itself in invoking Islam and the teachings of the Quran often ignores the moral teachings when it fits them.
It can be recalled that the body of Gosso – a mentally troubled young man who was killed by arm soldiers was finally released and buried last week by his family and loved ones after being held at the Banjul mortuary under heavy military presence for several months. Why the government held on to this young man’s body even after clear indications that he was mentally ill is beyond comprehension.
An official source from the Edward Francis Small Teaching hospital confirmed that the bodies are no longer being kept there. Our correspondent noted that the bodies were transferred from the mortuary Wednesday June 24th in the middle of the night. Despite the Holy month of Ramadan a month of prayers and forgiveness, Jammeh and his government continue to violate religious teachings by keeping these bodies.
According to political pundits the only reason Jammeh held on to these bodies is that he doesn’t know what to do with the bodies and was uncertain whether the US government will claim the body of US citizen Captain Njaga Jagne. In fact, intelligent sources close to the State House in Banjul hinted that US government may have demanded to be given access to the bodies for them to confirm the dead of US Army Captain Jagne. Jammeh allegedly was initially hesitant and very furious on the alleged US request. But the source added that Jammeh’s rants are usually “meant to make him look strong in public but behind doors he yields to Western demands”.
Gainako reporter is closely trailing leads to find out exactly where the bodies have been moved. There is a high probability that the late Captain Jagne’s body might be handed over to the family for proper burial mainly because of US intervention. The fate of the other two deceased remain uncertain. Jammeh may still insist on not handing over the bodies because of his usual irrational thinking.
At this stage most officials are unwilling to talk about this very somber situation. In Sene-gambian tradition it is common practice for the President to forgive first time offenders and even release well behaved prisoners during the Holy month of Ramadan or Eid as recently demonstrated by Senegalese President Macky Sall. However, the Gambian dictator who often references Allah and the Quran is a mere pretender of religious defender when in reality in he hell bent on being hypocritical in everything he does. His religious moral standings are certainly questionable. For now Gainako will continue to ask the question “Where is Jammeh sending the bodies and what are his intentions with the deceased?” We are closely monitoring the situation and will update our readers on developments in Banjul.
Filed by The Banjulist embedded reporter