By Alagi Yorro Jallow
Alhmadulila! Alhmadulila! Alhamdulila!
Fatoumatta: The apprehension of Sanna Manjang, one of the notorious Junglers implicated in the arson attack on The Independent Printing Press, reopens a wound that has long been denied healing. For too long, justice has been deferred, silenced, or trivialized. Today, with Manjang in custody, the nation stands at a crossroads: will we continue the cycle of impunity, or will we finally honor truth with accountability? This step offers hope that justice can prevail and that change is possible. The crime against Press Freedom and the attack on The Independent were not just an assault on a printing machine; it was an assault on the very soul of Gambian democracy.
As an orphaned institution, The Independent bore the brunt of tyranny without protection. Despite reporting the incident, handing over the weapon and ammunition, and recording statements, the Gambia Police Force failed to act. The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), despite its mandate and overwhelming evidence, treated the arson with indifference. This neglect compounded the injustice, leaving survivors and the press community abandoned.
Fatoumatta: Sanna Manjang was not a faceless perpetrator; he was a Jungler, a member of Jammeh’s paramilitary hit squad, implicated in multiple atrocities. Evidence, including eyewitness testimonies and forensic analysis, places him at the scene of the arson, where he fled after dropping his gun while gasoline engulfed the press. He sustained burns during the attack, which were secretly treated at the residence of then-State Guard Commander Captain Khalipha Bajinka. Later, he was relocated for treatment to Yundum Barracks and to Yahya Jammeh’s home in Kanilai. His arrest today is more than just a headline; it is an opportunity to address the unresolved issues of truth and justice.
Justice delayed is justice denied. The Gambian people, and especially the victims of the Jammeh regime, deserve more than symbolic arrests. They deserve fair trials, reparations, and institutional reform that restore dignity and trust in our justice system. The Independent’s destruction was a deliberate attempt to silence dissent. To ignore this crime is to normalize tyranny.
Transparent judicial proceedings must follow the Gambia Armed Forces’ confirmation of Manjang’s custody within a reasonable timeframe, and ensure the public understands that their support is vital to justice and press freedom. Anything less would betray the sacrifices of journalists, activists, and citizens who stood for freedom.
This case is not only about one man or one press house. It is about whether The Gambia will choose dignity over denial, accountability over amnesia. Our collective resolve will determine if we honor the silenced or let their suffering fade into history, mobilizing citizens and advocates alike.
Fatoumatta: Justice is not charity; it is duty. The flames that consumed The Independent Printing Press must now ignite a renewed commitment to truth, accountability, and press freedom. The arrest of Sanna Manjang must mark the beginning of a new chapter where crimes against democracy are punished, and the voices of the oppressed are finally heard, inspiring collective action.
