The former Gambian Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rex King, who testified on Tuesday before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), insisted that the operational orders he gave to the police on April 10/11, 2000 students’ demonstration were not to torture, arrest, shoot or beat any student, but to maintain peace.
Regarding the information he got on March 2000, he said that a student by the name Ebrima Barry was allegedly given cement to eat by the fire officers in Brikama. He added that the case was taken to court and because they lacked evidence, the suspects were discharged.
On the case of Binta Manneh, he said he received the message that she was allegedly raped at the stadium by the PIU officers, adding, he even organised an identification parade for the victim to identify who was responsible but she could not recognise anyone and that was why they couldn’t continue the case.
Talking on the demonstration, King said, he invited the students two times for a meeting, at which the former Interior Minister Ousman Badjie and his deputy Sankung Badjie were present.
“I told the students to write and apply for a permit before demonstrating, so that I would give them a police protection but they didn’t agree. I told them if they did not apply and things go out of their hands, they would be responsible.”
“I invited them again at the police headquarters and I addressed them not to continue with the demonstration but they didn’t heed. And at that time the president was to travel and I told my deputy to continue the meeting with them and I proceeded to accompany the president at the airport.”
The witness insisted the students never asked for permit. At that juncture, the lead Counsel Essa Faal showed him the report of the Commission of Inquiry in 2000, indicating that the students asked for permit but the witness said he was never aware.
He said there was an allegation that the students were politically motivated, but for them at the police headquarters, if it was about politics, then they must get those involved. He, however, added that no name was ever brought to them.
He confirmed that he gave Commissioner Baboucar Sowe operational orders at the time of the incident, but live ammunition was not to be used. He testified that his men changed the command given to them on the ground.
He added that as he was in his office at the time of the incident, the party leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, called and informed him that the police have opened fired on students.
He said his junior, Tamsir, also told him that the former minister of the Interior Ousman Badjie and the former CDS Baboucar Jatta were there and messed everything on the ground because they didn’t have anything to do there at the time of the incident.
He accepted that there was a failure in the side of the police in maintaining peace and order.
“During my time in office, I called on the political party leaders of UDP and NRP to assure them of peace between the government and them. I am a man who works for the interest of the public. The former President Yahya Jammeh once told me to dismiss 14 police officers but I told him that I cannot because they did not do anything wrong and he told me that he will never give me orders again.
He affirmed that the police received other orders different from the one he gave them.
