Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambian government has taken a significant step toward addressing past abuses with the arrest of Sanna Manjang, a former member of the Junglers, the paramilitary unit long associated with torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings during the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
The arrest, followed by Manjang’s extradition to The Gambia, was welcomed by human rights advocates who have pressed the government for years to pursue accountability for crimes committed under Jammeh’s 22-year regime.
Madi Jobarteh, a prominent human rights defender, hailed the development as a long-awaited moment of justice. “The capture of notorious jungler Sanna Manjang is a powerful reminder that no matter how long it takes, justice has a way of catching up.”
Mr. Jobarteh, who has been an outspoken critic of past impunity, questioned the motivations behind Manjang’s alleged abuses. “What did it serve him to violate rights, abuse power, and destroy lives, only to end up living in poverty, fear, and deprivation since 2016?” he asked.
He also used the occasion to caution public officials against misusing their authority: “Whether you are a minister, permanent secretary, police officer, soldier, or civil servant, remember: there will always be a day of judgment,” he said, adding that “those who abuse office must understand that the Gambian people, the law, and history will never forget.”
Manjang is being held in custody and is expected to face charges related to his alleged role in atrocities committed by the Junglers, whose activities were extensively documented by The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission. Authorities have not yet announced a court date.
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