Reports coming from the West African state of Mali has it that Kukoi Samba Sanyang the controversial rebel leader who led a rebellion against the Jawara regime in 1981 has died. The report of Kukoi’s dead has been confirmed by our sources in Mali as has also been reported in other sister media outlets.
Kukoi Samba Sanyang was recently expelled from Senegal to Mali after it was reported that he was initially to be deported to the Gambia where he was allegedly wanted by the Jammeh regime. During that ordeal Kukoi himself while speaking to the media confirmed that he was ill and was more worried about his health than anything else.
The death of Kukoi and his legacy continue to create controversy among Gambians and Senegalese. The social media is lit up with some mourning and branding him as a hero while others continue to question his wisdom and true legacy on Gambia’s political scene. Many observers wants to put his legacy into perspective in regards to his role in the 1981 Coup where hundreds if not thousands of Gambians and Senegalese died. His illegal attempt to cease power through the barrels of the gun against a democratically elected government certainly puts in the company of many unruly African leaders with terrible legacy.
Additionally, his attempt to work with the Jammeh regime who also seized power illegally and continue to oppress the Gambian people also put him at odds with the views of many Gambians. However, his alleged disagreement with Jammeh and rejoining the struggle against impunity in Gambia earned him a heroic place in the eyes of many Gambians. He was still believed in many quarters to be in a better position to wage arms rebellion against President Jammeh.
As Kukoi’s chapter and controversial legacy comes to a close like any other chapter in life, including President Jammeh’s, questions will forever continue to linger over his legacy. Some may ask; what has Kukoi done for the Gambia or Africa to brand him a heroic title? What has he contributed in Gambia’s political history to designate him as another African citizen who wanted to cease power illegally thus leading to the killings of many innocent lives? Others will insinuate that if he was not a revolutionary and principled person he would have gone to Join Yahya Jammeh and oppress Gambians. Yet, many will wonder in what capacity was Kukoi meeting many arm dealers and rebel leaders such as Charles Taylor who is currently serving Jail sentence for his role in the Liberian and Siera Leonean Massacres? While Kukoi is gone the pundits will continue their debate… and only God knows what rewards and or punishment awaits him. The clear lesson for us all is that no condition is permanent and certainly every life will some day come an end… For his family and friends, May he rest in peace and for those he wronged forgiveness is in order as the mighty will handle the rest…