TRRC Excavate Purported Mass Graves of November 11 Soldiers

Investigators of the TRRC spearheaded the excavation of the purported mass graves of 11 November 1994 alleged executed soldiers during the reign of the AFPRC.

The exercise was held on Saturday and Sunday at the Yundum Barracks which is home of the infantry.

The exercise was done using a caterpillar in the presence of forensic experts from the TRRC.

The place was identified by witnesses who had testified before Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) including Alagie Kanyi who has admitted participating in the burial exercise. In both days, no remains of the purported executed soldiers were found.

Superintendent Thomas Gomez, a forensic expert working with the TRRC said the process must be completed.

"If we don't find anything today, we may dig (excavate) the whole area (from the old cookhouse to the end)," Gomez said.

Readers will recall that several witnesses have told the TRRC that some members of the Gambia Armed Forces were executed on the 11th November 1994 by a group of soldiers headed by Captain Sanna Sabally, an erstwhile Vice Chairman of the Army Force Provincial Ruling Council (AFPRC). According to the testimonies, the group of soldiers who actually participated in the execution of their fellow army men included: Captains Edward Singhatey, Sadibou Hydara andYankuba Touray, Corporal Alagie Kanyi, JCB Mendy, Lance Corporal Batch Samba Jallow and others including junior soldiers.

The soldiers and officers that were executed included Lieutenants Abdoulie 'Dot' Faal, Basirou Barrow, Gibril Saye, Sergeant Fafa Nyang, Cadet Amadou M. Sillah, Buba Jammeh, and others.

The excavation exercise according to the investigators would continue.

"If we don't see their remains, we will dig the entire areas identify. We may even destroy this structure (the poultry house). The process must be completed," one of them told Foroyaa in anonymity.  

Meanwhile, the TRRC sittings resume today at 10 am

Caterpillar Doing the Excavation