GAF Commences Court Martial Proceedings Against Former Officer Sanna Manjang

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) on Monday commenced court martial proceedings against Lieutenant Colonel Sanna Manjang, a former member of the armed forces, on a charge of desertion.

The General Court Martial opened at the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess at the Guards Battalion, Fajara Barracks.

According to Defence Headquarters, Manjang is charged under Section 53(1)(a) of the Gambia Armed Forces Act, Cap. 19:01, for allegedly absenting himself from his duty post at the State Guards Battalion in Banjul in January 2017 and remaining absent for several years with the alleged intention of deserting.

Manjang was arrested in Senegal’s Casamance region in November 2025 and subsequently returned to The Gambia. The prosecution in an earlier High Court proceeding also referred to his alleged absence from the armed forces and records listing him as having deserted.

The court martial is a separate proceeding from the criminal case previously brought against Manjang before the High Court in Banjul.

Manjang had initially faced murder-related charges arising from alleged human rights violations during the administration of former President Yahya Jammeh.

In July 2026, however, the High Court allowed the prosecution to amend the indictment, replacing the murder-related allegations with two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm. The development concerned the High Court case and is separate from the current desertion charge before the military tribunal.

Manjang has pleaded not guilty in the High Court proceedings.

Manjang was also named in the findings and recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which investigated alleged human rights violations during the Jammeh era.

The TRRC recommended that Manjang and several other individuals be prosecuted over their alleged roles in the unlawful killings of West African migrants in 2005. The Commission’s report recorded testimony concerning alleged involvement by Manjang and other members of the Junglers in events surrounding the killings.

The TRRC findings and recommendations form part of the broader transitional-justice record and are distinct from the desertion charge now before the Court Martial.

The General Court Martial is being presided over by a panel of senior GAF officers, with Colonel Ousman Bah serving as President and Justice Omar Cham as Judge Advocate.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, A.M. Yusuph, or his representatives, assisted by GAF legal officers, are representing the prosecution.

According to Defence Headquarters, Manjang has been provided with defending officers and retains the right to notify the Officer Under Instruction of a defending officer or counsel of his choice.

The proceedings are open to members of the public and the media in accordance with applicable procedures.

The Court Martial will determine whether the prosecution can establish the allegation of desertion against Manjang under military law.