MOSCOW, January 2 (Sputnik) — Gambian officials arrested dozens of military staff and civilians after an alleged coup attempt took place earlier this week, according to AFP.
"This was not a coup. This was an attack by a terrorist group backed by some powers that I would not name," said Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh, cited by the news agency. He also added that dissidents, living in Western countries, such as the US, Germany and the UK, organized the attack.
Gambian military forces attempted an attack on President’s palace on Tuesday. Forces supporting current President Yahya Jammeh killed three suspects, including the alleged initiator of the attack, Lamin Sanneh. According to Gambian officials, the president was out of the country on a private visit to Dubai, as reported by the Guardian.
Yahya Jammeh has been running the country for more than 20 years. He seized to power as result of military coup in 1994 and justified his actions by criticizing corruption and authoritarian rule under his predecessor, Sir Dawda Jawara. Jammeh has been constantly blamed by international organizations and human rights advocates for severe human rights violations and suppression of the media.
