TheCable

Security forces have foiled an alleged coup attempt against the government of President Yahya Jammeh (pictured) of The Gambia.

Armed men led by Lamin Sanneh, a lieutenant colonel and former state house commander, were said to have invaded the country from Senegal.

Sanneh was appointed commanding officer of the state guards in July 2012 but was relieved of the position after falling out with the president about a year later.

Unconfirmed report has it that he died from injuries sustained in the attack.

Four others were also said to have died in the operation, which took place while Jammeh was in France.

The attackers first struck at the presidential palace in Banjul, capital of the country before heading for a military post at the Denton Bridge, which links Banjul to the southern part of Gambia.

The BBC reported that heavy gunfire erupted in Banjul.

“The presidential palace was attacked very early this morning, at around 3:00 am (0300 GMT), by armed individuals of whom some came from the presidential guard,” a Gambian diplomat was quoted as saying.

“They wanted to overthrow the regime,” a military source in Gambia told AFP.

A top government official said “between four and five people were killed during the gun battle”.

“A small group of ill-intentioned individuals attempted to carry out this evil plot against our peaceful country,” he said.

“Thank God our gallant soldiers were able to neutralise them.”

Since 1994 when Jammeh came into power through a coup, there have been several coup attempts against his government.

Addressing the nation from his base at France, the president, who is currently on his way to Gambia, commended the security personnel for dislodging the attackers.

“My fellow Gambians: At 1 o’clock this morning, forces loyal to Lamin Sanneh, the disgraced former commanding officer of the state guards, invaded The Gambia from Senegal in an attempt to overthrow its legitimate government,” he said.

“No Gambian feels the anguish of this heinous plot more deeply than I, against whom Sanneh adds the sin of betraying a friend to the ignominy of high treason.

“Be rest assured that the enemies of the people have been defeated, and I will be returning from my state visit to France immediately in order to oversee an investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this plot face stern justice.”

Jammeh has been frequently accused of excesses, including abuse of human rights.

In October, he toed the path of Robert Mugabe by withdrawing The Gambia from the commonwealth. Mugabe did the same in 2003.

During an interview with BBC in 2011, Jammeh said he was prepared to rule his country for a billion years.