An alleged member of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh’s hit squad known as the Junglars has been arrested and detained in neighbouring Senegal, the information ministry in Banjul revealed on Saturday.
Sanna Manjang, an apparent fugitive accused of carrying out egregious violations at the behest of the Junglars has been on the run since Jammeh lost the 2016 presidential election to current President Adama Barrow.
According to a statement by Gambia’s information ministry, Manjang was apprehended in the early hours of Saturday in Senegal’s southern region of Casamance.
”The arrest is the result of a coordinated security operation between the authorities of the Republic of Senegal and The Gambia” said the statement which suggested that the two neighbours had been working closely to hunt down and eventually capture Mr Manjang.
The former state guard officer has been a person of interest in The Gambia since his adverse mentions in testimonies before the country’s truth commission, providing graphic details of his alleged role in the execution, torture and enforced disappearances of Jammeh’s political opponents and critics.
”His arrest represents a significant step in the ongoing pursuit of justice and accountability for victims of the abuses committed under the former regime” the statement added.
The Gambia said it working closely with Senegal for Manjang’s repatriation to face justice.
WN/as/APA