By RFIPosted on 16-10-2019Modified on 16-10-2019 at 23:53

More people than usual attended the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Gambia on Wednesday (October 16th) to attend the hearing of Edward Singhateh, a former military junta member who took power in 1994 Yahya Jammeh's diet.

Currently living in Nigeria where he is a consultant, Edward Singhateh is quoted in many cases, including the death of the Minister of Finance, Ousman Koro Ceesay in 1995. For this first day of hearing, the witness took care to impose his narrative .

Impeccable tie suit, perfect English, word punctuated with kindness, the lawyer training knows how to defend himself. Whoever has served Yahya Jammeh for 13 years begins by detaching himself from the dictator. " With all the testimonies I've heard about him so far, I come to believe that I did not know him so well. "

On Facebook, a human rights activist gets upset: " Despite his angelic voice and his innocent clothes, Edward can not hide his crimes! ". The former member of the junta is quoted in at least six files.

Public of the big days to the Truth Commission to attend the hearing of Edward Singhateh, former member of the junta and faithful of Yahya Jammeh. #TRRC pic.twitter.com/kzOz5bX3hb

Romain Chanson (@CHANSONRomain) October 16, 2019

Night of torture

The Commission begins by studying his participation in a night of torture in Mile 2 prison. One of the detainees remembers being beaten with a Kalashnikov.

" Maybe, either I was the person he saw before he collapsed, or he remembers me and my skin is like a candle in the dark, " says Edward Singhateh.

" It seems rather reminiscent of being struck by the little candle, " retorts a lawyer. " I did not hit him, " says the old man of the regime.

On this night of torture, three witnesses described him as completely drunk and vociferating in the prison in search of inmates to beat up. The Commission will have to determine who really was Sir Edward Singhateh. His audition continues Thursday, October 17.

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