The government had initially attempted to downplay an outbreak of violence when gunfire erupted near the presidential palace. A statement made via the state radio station said that "peace and calm continue to prevail in The Gambia," the news agency adds.
Dan Whitman, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Banjul, wrote in an email that a coup attempt had apparently taken place but that “there has been no sign of transfer of political or military power,” according to The New York Times. The US State Department has issued a statement strongly condemning “any attempt to seize power through extra-constitutional means,” according to the newspaper.
However, Mr. Jammeh later declared that an ex-army commander had made an attempt to seize power while the president was visiting France, the BBC reports. According to the president, forces loyal to Lamin Sanneh invaded the country from Senegal "in an attempt to overthrow its legitimate government."
The attackers were defeated and forced to retreat, with four of them killed and another four captured by security forces, the news agency added citing the president.
BBC World Service Africa Editor Richard Hamilton pointed out that due to the tight media control of media exercised by the local government, it is often hard to determine the exact situation in Gambia.
President Yahya Jammeh came to power following a coup in 1994. Since then he has won four elections which have been disputed both by critics at home as well as abroad.
