The fourth day of the trial against a former member of The Gambia’s notorious Junglers unit, held on April 10, 2025, saw gripping testimonies from four witnesses—Pharing Sanyang, Ebou Jarjue, Tamsir Jasseh, and Special Agent Barton Garrison—shedding light on the brutal response to the failed 2006 coup attempt and the role of the accused, identified as Correa.
Pharing Sanyang’s Testimony
Pharing Sanyang, a former military commander who served as the Commander of the Commandos in 2006, recounted a harrowing ordeal following the March 21, 2006, coup attempt led by then-Chief of Staff Ndure Cham. Sanyang, who declined Cham’s invitation to join the plot, was arrested the next day and subjected to severe torture. At Mile II prison, he was beaten with batons, water pipes, and large palm branches. On March 26, he was taken to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), where Malick Jatta struck him with a pistol, leaving lasting scars, and broke his tooth with a hammer.
At the NIA’s “burial grounds,” Sanyang endured further brutality, including a bayonet stabbing, cigarette burns, and sand thrown in his eyes, requiring multiple eye surgeries that left his vision impaired. He identified Correa as one of his assailants, recognizing him by his gait despite a mask, and described Correa directing others to beat and kill him. Sanyang was coerced into signing a false confession, smearing blood on the paper to document his torture, and later forced to record an audio apology after refusing a televised one due to his visible injuries. Imprisoned until 2015 and convicted of treason in 2007, Sanyang fled to Senegal after a second arrest. He also revealed refusing orders from President Yahya Jammeh to assassinate journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004.
Ebou Jarjue’s Testimony
Ebou Jarjue, a former State House waiter and relative of Jungler Musa Jammeh, described a tense atmosphere at the State House from 2001 to 2008, particularly after the 2006 coup attempt. Jarjue, who identified Correa in court, recalled grilling food for Junglers returning from arrests and overhearing Jammeh order Musa Jammeh to take witness Tamsir Jasseh to the “truth talk” room. Unable to resign due to fear, Jarjue was arrested in 2008 for allegedly attempting to poison Jammeh, enduring nine months of detention and four years at Mile II before escaping to Senegal.
Tamsir Jasseh’s Testimony
Tamsir Jasseh, a Gambian-American and former U.S. Navy officer who served as Director General of Immigration from 2002 to 2005, testified about his role in aiding Ndure Cham’s escape to Senegal after the failed coup. Though not involved in the plot, Jasseh was arrested and tortured at the NIA, where Correa, whom he described as “overzealous” and “enjoying himself,” placed a plastic bag over his head and beat him. Jasseh was whipped with banana branches, struck with a chair, and had a gun put in his mouth during interrogations. Forced to sign a confession and apologize on television, he was sentenced to 20 years for treason but released in 2012 after advocacy by Reverend Jesse Jackson. Jasseh witnessed other prisoners, including co-accused Mendy and Darboe, severely injured at Mile II.
Barton Garrison’s Testimony
Special Agent Barton Garrison of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) detailed his investigation into Correa, which began in August 2019 after a tip about money transfers from Denver to The Gambia. Garrison arrested Correa in September 2019 on immigration charges, finding an expired diplomatic visa used for entry in 2016. Audio recordings from Correa’s interview revealed his admission to being a Jungler, initially described as a “patrol team.” Correa claimed his role post-2006 coup was limited to arrests, denying participation in torture but admitting to witnessing it, expressing regret, and citing orders. Garrison noted Correa’s fear of returning to The Gambia emerged after Jammeh fell from power.
Trial Progress and Next Steps
The prosecution paused playing recordings from Correa’s immigration hearing due to time constraints. Testimony is set to resume on April 14, 2025. Garrison will continue testifying, joined by an expert and another witness. The defense may call one or two witnesses on Tuesday. Closing arguments are expected to follow, and the trial will be wrapped up early next week.
The testimonies painted a chilling picture of torture and repression, implicating Correa and the Junglers in grave human rights abuses as the trial moves toward a critical juncture.
