In Gambia, a court has handed down a 12-year prison sentence to a soldier for his involvement in a coup plot. The country recently restored democracy after 22 years of dictatorship.
According to a verdict seen by media on Wednesday, the court has determined lance corporal Sanna Fadera guilty of treason. This decision was made on Tuesday.
Even as the region experienced a series of military coups since 2020, Gambia has managed to successfully reinstate democracy.
Former dictator Yahya Jammeh held control over the small nation for 22 years until his unexpected defeat in the presidential elections of December 2016, when political newcomer Adama Barrow emerged as the victor.
The court’s verdict stated that Fadera, who denied the charges, had allegedly sought to engage multiple low-ranking soldiers, an officer, and civilians in the coup plot.
From the approximately 10 individuals initially interrogated in December, four individuals were charged and subsequently faced trial.
On Tuesday, three of the accused were acquitted of the charge of failing to report Fadera’s alleged plans.
As per the court’s ruling, Fadera, described as a dissatisfied navy laboratory technician, expressed his intention to mobilize people to take to the streets in support of his cause.
The judgment noted that during the planning phase, Fadera had sought counsel from a marabout, or religious leader, in both Gambia and Mali.
The judge, in his sentencing, said, “There was no violence employed in the commission of the offence,” and took into consideration the defendant’s young age, which was not given, and lack of previous convictions.
