TRRC witness: Jammeh controlled speed of the convoy

By Awa DK Conteh

Captain Lamin Saidykhan of The Gambia Armed Forces and Motor Traffic Officer at State House, on Wednesday, 8th July to the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) that former President Yahya Jammeh used to decide the speed at which the presidential convoy moved. The commission was investigating the abuse of users by authorities under former President Jammeh. He appeared before the Commission in connection to his portfolio as Motor Transport, and a Convoy Driver as well.

A resident of Tallinding, Saidykhan was born on the 28 May, 1968 in Jarra Sankuya, LRR. He is still the motor traffic officer in charge of all military vehicles and the civilian drivers at State House.

Having served at Yundum and Fajara Barracks, Saidykhan was transferred to State House Outriding Section where he was trained as Outriding escort otherwise known as Motor Cycle escort and, escorted the former president.

He said each time he went out, they were detailed as sweepers, and worked under the commander of the State Guard, Lt. Landing Sanneh.

On whether the military drivers were divided in anyway, he responded in the affirmative, indicating there were those in plain clothes and the ones in military uniforms.

Mr. Saidykhan revealed to the Commission that the likes of Musa Jammeh (Malia Mungo), Alagie Martin, and Umpa Mendy all served in the VIP vehicle and served as Principal Protection Officers to Yahya Jammeh.

He narrated an incident involving an escort and driver to accompany the former First Lady's mother to Dakar. He said the driver and the escort were processing the old woman’s documents at Amdalai border while smoking, the First Lady’s mother called to report them and upon their return the two men were dismissed.

He added that Yahya Jammeh insulated Alagie Martin's mother when they told the Commander that the loaded trucks documents were not ready.

The witness said people were afraid to take the position of MTO, and when he took it ended up having troubles as he was locked at Fajara Barracks and also punished at Denton Bridge.

On the incident of Fajara Barracks, he said it was as a result of him praying in the mosque while his phone was on silence. He said afterwards Musa Jammeh confronted for going to pray when the president was about to go out. He was detained for 2 weeks.

On another occasion, around Friday congregational prayer time, General Sulayman Badjie told him that the president wanted to distribute rice to those who attended the Friday prayers and that he (witness) should open the store and bring out the rice but he told Badjie that he would do it after the prayers.

He said as soon as he finished praying Saul Badjie ordered for him to be locked up but people later appealed to him and he (witness) was later sent him to Denton Bridge as a guard.

About the timing of the convoy, Captain Saidykhan said there was no specific time of work, as he had received calls at 2am or sometimes he would be at State House till 20hrs and upon arrival at home, he would be called to go back again. He recalled one time Umpa Mendy called at 4am to arrange vehicles to go to Kanilai but the convoy did not move till 10am.

“At State House, the slightest mistake could lead to dismissal or be taken to Mile2,” he said. Further in his testimony, the Motor Transport Officer said if the former president was not satisfied with the speed of the vehicles, he would tell Umpa Mendy, ‘Move out, move out’, meaning they should increase their speed.

According to him he was there but was very afraid because if the vehicles happened to hit something, they would not be able to control the vehicle. He admitted that over-speeding and the throwing of biscuits and T. shirts had resulted accidents.

The Captain Saidykhan said he served under Jawara for 4 years but he had never heard or witnessed an accident; likewise the current government.

He accused former president for not worrying about the safety of the team in the convoy and the road users. He estimated the number of accidents by the presidential convoy of former president to be up to 20 or more, mainly caused by the drive-by throwing of biscuits and T- shirts, and that the convoy did not stop even if there were accidents.

He recalled an incident of a collision between a taxi and one of their vehicles which causing damage to the taxi. He however said one of the taxi drivers (a soldier) got compensated after his vehicle was hit by the convoy.

On whether the same procedure was applied for civilian drivers, he said the second incident happened when one Ousainou Jammeh (soldier) collided with the convoy and the matter was taken to court and before the case ended, he was dismissed.

“Yahya Jammeh was aware of all the accidents which occurred but he never did anything or say anything on the victims,” he said.

Saidykhan disclosed that Jammeh stopped throwing biscuits because the supermarket owner insisted that Jammeh had a lot of arrears and could no more give biscuits.

The witness went on to recount several instances in which the convoy caused damages to road users, some of who lost their lives while others had their properties damaged.

The commission intimated that their investigation recorded 40 accidents. The witness was further asked whether he was aware that members of the convoy were fond of beating people for not complimenting the president or not leaving the road, he replied in the affirmative.

Having served as MTO for 9 years and got dismissed in 2012, the witness said with the change of government he was part of the senior officers that provided protection to President Barrow and was stationed in his home for 24hrs.

On whether he was armed, he said they were only having stones. He said it was risky because the Junglers mounted a check point around President Barrow's house. He adduced that soldiers frequently visited his house with the intention of arresting him and as a result he was advised to permanently stay at Barrow's house, which he did.

He said the day Yahya Jammeh announced that he was not stepping down, Barrow gave them money to buy cutlasses to protect themselves with.