The Gambia announced the establishment of a commission to investigate a failed attempt to depose the current regime of President Adama Barrow.
The attempt took place last week the government had announced adding that four military personnel have been arrested in connection to it.
Ebrima G. Sankareh, cabinet spokesman indicated that the commission is made of 11 people among whom officials from the ministry of justice, army, the police and the intelligence service.
The body, Sankareh added, will have 30 days to investigate, prepare and submit a report to authorities.
Two army commanders, a captain and lieutenant, were arrested over the week for alleged involvement in the failed coup. Seven people, including two officers and five soldiers, have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged plot. Two other people also suspected of involvement, are on the run, authorities indicated.
In addition, a politician, former Minister of Presidential Affairs under the Jammeh regime and member of the main opposition party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), is also being held after appearing in a video suggesting that the president will be overthrown before the next local elections, according to press reports.
Barrow came to power in 2016 after beating former and longtime leader Jammeh who took over power in 1994 in a military coup and led the country until his defeat in the elections.
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West Africa’s main regional body, have condemned the plot. The region has witnessed six successful military coups, and a violent attempted coup since 2020, raising concerns over the backslide of democracy in a region that had been seen to be making progress in shedding its ‘coup belt’ moniker.