Sanna Manjang Takes Witness Stand for First Time, Recounts Kanilai Security Operations

Sanna Manjang © Askanwi

By Fatoumata Jaiteh

Former soldier Sanna Manjang, whom the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission has mentioned as committing serious crimes, including torture, during the former regime, has taken the witness stand for the first time in his trial before the High Court in Banjul.

His appearance at the witness stand followed the State closing its case against Sanna Manjang after calling several witnesses. Opening his defence on Monday, 28th July 2026, the ex-soldier and Jungler’s testimony portrayed his deployment in Kanilai as a military assignment aimed at safeguarding civilians along The Gambia's southern border.

The former soldier is accused of participating in the assault of individuals during his service in Kanilai under the administration of former President Yahya Jammeh. Monday's proceedings marked the beginning of the defence case, with the accused giving sworn testimony for the first time in response to the prosecution's evidence. Recently “the state has dropped all murder charges against Sanna Manjang and going with only two counts of assault, causing actual bodily harm.”

Manjang testified that his duties in Kanilai centred on border security and the protection of Gambians from armed rebels operating in Senegal's Casamance region. “My role was to ensure that Gambians could go about their business without any threats,” he told the court, presided over by Justice S.K. Jobarteh.

Before the defence opened its case, Defence Counsel S.K. Jobe withdrew a bail application filed on July 25th 2026 after informing the court that the State had served its affidavit in opposition late, leaving insufficient time to prepare a response. The prosecution, represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Dougan, did not object, and the application was struck out.

Led in evidence by his lawyer, Manjang told the court that he enlisted in the Gambia Armed Forces in January 1994 and later underwent commando training in Libya before returning to The Gambia. He testified that he was subsequently posted to the State House and later assigned to Kanilai, where he assumed the position of border Patrol Commander and led border patrol operations.

According to him, there was no formally constituted patrol team, and personnel were assigned from the State House on a rotational basis under the command of the State House Commander Ousman Badjie. He testified that patrol operations were conducted to address insecurity along the Casamance border and that he led the teams because, in his words, “no one knows the border line more than me.”

Manjang also recounted what he described as a rescue mission in which his team recovered seven Gambians allegedly held by armed rebels after a 45-minute exchange of gunfire. “I located the seven Gambians and secured them,” he testified, adding that the rescued civilians were later handed over to officers at Kalaji Police Station.

The matter was adjourned to 16th October 2026 at 9am.