The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has initiated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try Lieutenant Colonel Sanna Manjang, a former serving officer and alleged member of the former regime's "Junglers" squad, on a charge of desertion. Proceedings commenced on September 22, 2026, at the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers' Mess, Guards Battalion, Fajara Barracks. Manjang is accused of absenting himself from duty for nine years with the intention of deserting.
According to GAF, Manjang's offence is under Section 34 of the Gambia Armed Forces Act 1985, specifically Desertion contrary to Section 53 (1) (a) of the Gambia Armed Forces Act. The particulars of the offence state that Manjang absented himself from his duty post at the State Guards Battalion in Banjul on January 21, 2017, and continued to absent himself for nine years. The court martial is presided over by a panel of senior officers led by Colonel Ousman Bah.
The court martial panel includes Honourable Justice Omar Cham as Judge Advocate, and Director of Public Prosecutions A.M. Yusuph or his representatives as prosecutors, assisted by a team of GAF lawyers. Manjang has been provided with a team of Defending Officers, and he may inform the Officer Under Instruction of his defending officer or counsel of choice. The GAF has stated that proceedings are open to the media and general public.
Manjang is alleged to have been a member of the "Junglers," a paramilitary unit implicated in serious human rights violations by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). He fled The Gambia in January 2017 and spent nearly nine years as a fugitive. Manjang was arrested on November 29, 2025, in the Casamance Region of southern Senegal and subsequently extradited to The Gambia, where he was remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison.
Manjang's arrest was celebrated by human rights advocates and victims' families as a major breakthrough for accountability. He was put on trial before the High Court in Banjul on multiple grave charges linked to TRRC findings, including allegations related to the 2004 killing of journalist Deyda Hydara and the 2005-2006 killings of Ndongo Mboob, Haruna Jammeh, Kajali Jammeh, and Samba Wurry. However, the High Court permitted the State to amend its indictment, dropping all high-profile murder and conspiracy allegations.
The case was narrowed to two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm involving Tamsir Jasseh and military officer Yaya M.S. Darboe. Manjang opened his defence on July 28, 2026. The court martial is a separate proceeding under military law relating specifically to desertion, considered a serious offence, particularly for an officer. Its outcome will not determine the civilian charges, but both form part of broader accountability efforts for alleged crimes committed during the former regime.
The GAF has not indicated how long the court martial will last. As of publication, Manjang's defence team had not issued a public statement on the desertion charge. The conduct of the Court Martial underscores the commitment of the Armed Forces to justice, accountability, protection of fundamental rights, and respect for the rule of law.
Key points
- The Gambia Armed Forces has initiated a court martial to try Lieutenant Colonel Sanna Manjang on desertion charges.
- Manjang is alleged to have been a member of the "Junglers," a paramilitary unit implicated in serious human rights violations.
- The court martial is a separate proceeding under military law, and its outcome will not determine the civilian charges against Manjang.
