By Baba Sillah
Police prosecutors yesterday secured arrest warrants for seven former aides of Jammeh who are alleged to have carried out killings and other atrocities during the 22-year regime of the former government.
The seven men, Ousman Sonko (former Interior minister), General Sulayman Badjie, Colonel Solo Bojang, Major Sanna Manjang, General Bora Colley, Colonel Kawsu Camara and Major Nuha Badjie
According to police prosecutors, Kawsu Camara alias ‘Bombardier’, a former Kanilai camp commander and Major Sanna Manjang, a member of the notorious ‘Junglers’, conspired among themselves to murder Deyda Hydara, the co-founder and publisher of The Point newspaper who was gunned down by unknown assailants after closing from work in December 2004.
They also alleged that the two caused the death of Mr Hydara by shooting him in the forehead on his way home after work.
The court presided over by Isatou Janneh-Njie issued the warrant following an application by police. The case is now set to proceed opening what is perhaps the first realistic step towards finding the killers of Hydara and bringing justice to the family. The suspects who are currently on the run and believed to be outside the country, are keenly wanted by police to face the indictment.
Mr Hydara’s family won a case against the former government of President Jammeh at the regional Ecowas court that accused the regime of not thoroughly investigating the case.
Kawsu and Sanna are believed to be living in the Dakar metropolis and Casamance respectively.
Following the defeat of President Jammeh and his exile, a number of his operatives who were believed to have been part of his killers have left the country.
