Dr. Ousman Gajigo

Given Edward Singhateh’s recent performance in front of the TRRC, any reconciliation event or process that involves him asking for forgiveness is a farce. It does not matter that such event was not initiated by the TRRC. As long as the TRRC participates in it and gives the event its official blessing, it is part and parcel of it. We all know that reconciliation is definitely part of the TRRC mandate but the process must be credible.

The credibility of the process is contingent upon truth. Over several days of testimony in front of the TRRC, Edward Singhateh made a mockery of the Commission. He took an oath to appear before the Commission and to tell truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Instead of honouring that promise, he proceeded to lie repeatedly and evade questions. His strategy was clear. He decided that he would not cooperate or tell the truth where he could be linked directly and personally with a crime. He only “accepted responsibility” as long as it is collective, meaning that there was little potential legal jeopardy. In order, he wanted to get all the benefits from appearing before the Commission without taking the risks that come with telling the truth.

That is his prerogative. He certainly has the right not to self-incriminate. But by exercising that right, he naturally forfeits the benefits that comes from reconciliation. For reconciliation requires a complete and truthful accounting of the wrongs perpetrated by the abuser against the abused. In this regards, Edward Singhateh has fallen woefully short.

With regards to Sanna Sabally, let’s recall that Edward Singhateh refused to be completely truthful about his role in working with Yahya Jammeh to have Sanna Sabally and Sabidibou Hydara arrested and jailed, which lead to the torture of Sabally and the death of Hydara. Edward Singhateh wanted us to believe that he went along with Jammeh on the basis of just Sabally and Hydara making a phone calls before appearing before Jammeh. We know that Edward is not stupid – so he must be expecting to make a fool of the TRRC and The Gambia if he expects us to believe that fiction.

The most egregious part of Edward Singhateh’s refusal to be truthful before the Commisson happened with regards to the circumstances surrounding Ousman Koro Ceesay’s death. Even with overwhelming corroborating evidence, Edward Singhateh refused to be truthful about being present in Yankuba Touray’s house and taking part in the killing of Koro Ceesay. For Edward Singhateh’s story to be believable, it must be the case that all the other witnesses have been lying. There is no plausible reason why all the other soldiers who testified under oath would lie just to implicate Edward Singhateh, and in the process implicate themselves in a capital offense.

Not only did Edward Singhateh refused to be truthful, he decided to muddy the waters by attempting to slander the late Minister of Finance. This was when Edward Singhateh brought up the issue of the funding of the Casamance rebels and appeared to suggested that Koro Ceesay was on Jammeh side in terms of helping that group. At no point later did Singhateh demonstrate how this particular allegation was germane to the issue of why and how Koro Ceesay was murdered. He simply threw out that information to potentially sully the reputation of a man whose murder he is already implicated in.

Focusing on only the above issues is enough to show that there cannot be genuine reconciliation involving Edward Singhateh and any party. If Sanna Sabally wants to forgive Edwared Singhateh for his role in his personal ordeal, that is his right. And it should be a private matter between Sabally and Singhateh. But it should not have the blessing of the TRRC because Singhateh has demonstrated that he has little respect or regard for the body and what it stands for by refusing to be truthful when he had ample opportunity to do so.

What is also remarkable is how tone death the TRRC is with regards to the effects on other victims in having Edward Singhateh appear in such a ceremony. Imagine what the family of Ousman Koro Ceesay must be feeling right now in watching the man who is universally understood to have taken the lead role in the killing of their family member by giving a blessing in a TRRC-sanctioned reconciliation event.

Edward Singhateh may one day be the recipient of genuine reconciliation and forgiveness. But that day must only come after he is completely truthful about all his actions during the Jammeh dictatorship. He must not be allowed to be economical with the truth while expecting complete forgiveness. If we allow that to happen, the phrase “Never Again” will become nothing but an empty slogan. And we would have demonstrated to all that there are no consequences in carrying out gross human rights violations against Gambians if you can just put on a pitiful expression and say “sorry”.

Ousman Gajigo is an economist. He has held positions with the African Development Bank, the UN, the World Bank and Columbia University. He holds a PhD in development economics. He is currently an international consultant and also runs a farm in The Gambia.

The strategy and tactics of Edward’s testimony is rooted in the philosophy of military training that he himself beautifully explained to the lead counsel. That is, a soldier is trained to withstand any measure of pain and pressure! Hence for Edward the TRRC hearing he underwent was torture or pressure that he would endure so as not to be truthful or take responsibility.

At the very beginning of his testimony Edward had an interesting exchange with Essa Faal on the use and prevalence of torture within The Gambia National Army. For Edward torture is a tool about which soldiers are trained to undergo. They are trained to build resistance against torture in order to deflect torturers or remain silent or refrain from taking responsibility or minimise pain under captivity. This is why the tortures against Sana Sabally and others was only perceived by him to be normal because they were soldiers. It is this mentality that had characterized Edward’s three-day testimony.

But Edward’s first tactic is to pick and choose words and information about an act to use them to build his own narrative or premises only to knock down his own premises with his own desired conclusion. For example, about taking Sana to Mile 2, Edward raised the rhetorical question that that was a minor act and therefore why would he refuse to take responsibility for a simple thing like transporting an individual to Mile 2, therefore he never took Sana to Mile! Period. All throughout his testimony one will find multiple places where Edward uses the same tactic of trivialising an act by remodelling it to suit him and then classify that act as either too stupid or foolish or minor for him to carry it out.

Therefore, we could notice how Edward carefully released selected information or created some dumb speculation about people, events and acts that will favour him or remove himself from responsibility. For example, he employed logic and speculation such as why would he work with someone he did not know. Logically no human being will do business, especially an illegal business with an unknown person. With this logic Edward was able to deny ever working with Kanyi whom he did not know to kill Koro much more be present at Yankuba’s house.

But this is where Edward’s lies are also exposed because it was, he himself who said that Alhagie Kanyi was part of the November 11 coupists. Yet how come Kanyi was not arrested and killed like the rest but came to be on the killing party on the side of the AFPRC? Rather Edward went further to speculate that it was Kanyi who acted on his own to join the killing party. Unfortunately, Edward was not asked why he did not arrest and kill Kanyi as a coupist?

While he sought to make us believe that he was remorseful about the atrocities we could see however how Edward employed the same logical argument to justify the killings. For example, he said they had to kill the November 11 coupists because any junta would have done the same so long as one faced threat from fellow soldiers. But these so-called coupists where not killed during a fight rather they were captured alive first and then slaughtered in cold blood! How then can one justify that murder except if one is both a sociopath and a psychopath like Edward, i.e. Edward neither feels guilt (sociopath) nor does he care if when he knew what he did was wrong (psychopath)!

He used the same immoral logic in the beating of UDP militants on the basis that those militants protested in the first place. This further made his apology nothing but a show to hide his criminality. He went further to employ more logic that they were young officers with him being only 25 years. Therefore, despite his series of apologies it is clear that Edward neither has regret or remorse nor does he care about anyone or anything.

The rest of his testimony employed this same logic backed by false equivalence and speculation. For example, he arrested Sana and Sadibou based on weak allegations but then justified that he cannot take chances in case something else happened. Where Edward cannot utilize his logic, he feigned ignorance or touted speculation with lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ and throwing back rhetorical questions.

For example, he asked rhetorically how he could be seen smoking when he does not smoke. He said how could anyone see in the dark even though Yankuba’s house had outside lighting. He also said Yankuba’s guards were sent to check on the beach even though he gave no proof that Jammeh indeed did order that mission when he was the Vice Chair and Minister of Defence! It is obvious that military house guards are not the appropriate outfit to conduct patrol of that nature.

Apart from logic, semantics and speculation Edward’s next big strategy is body language. All throughout the testimony Edward maintained a particular sitting posture and a countenance that was consistent and steady just to hide his emotions! Where he cannot hide emotions, he personalized and misinterpreted the words of the lead counsel by claiming to have been insulted or humiliated or unfairly treated. It is these gimmicks that had won him popular sympathy on the first two days against Essa Faal.

To further dramatize this tactic he would turn to report the lead counsel to the Chairman of the TRRC or release words that appeal to the sensibilities of The Gambian populace. For example, he said he was not corrupt because his bank account was in deficit with an incomplete building. But it’s common knowledge that Edward did live a highly comfortable lifestyle beyond the salary of his position until today! His most cunning tactic is when he would decide to release certain vibes in Mandinka or Wolof. For example, at one point he turned into Wolof by claiming that the lead counsel hated him or would decide to apologies in Mandinka by exploiting to socio-cultural and religious soundbites.

While he said he was not interested in power and wanted to go back to the barracks even though staying in government for 13 consecutive years, Edward had to go back to his old logic by stating that it was the people who begged Jammeh to resign from the military to stand for president. For that matter he was also approached by his colleagues to give support to Jammeh! The truth is Edward had no interest to ever leave government and he was part and parcel of the scheme to transform AFPRC into APRC of which he became the first Secretary General.

Therefore, what Edward’s testimony demonstrates it that he was indeed the quintessential man without conscience and character with incredible capacity to lie and dodge! Edward has emerged out of the TRRC as a remorseless human being without courage and honesty. He has insulted the nation in ways never heard before. History shall record Edward Singhateh as the Gambia’s top prodigal son! It will therefore be a tragedy of enormous proportions for the TRRC to fail to charge him for perjury. His testimony is entirely false, and he must be held accountable.

For the Gambia Our Homeland

……………………………………………..

Madi Jobarteh

Skype: madi.jobarteh

Twitter: @jobartehmadi

LinkedIn: Madi Jobarteh

Phone: +220 9995093

The testimony of Edward Singhateh is proof yet again of why the TRRC is the worst option the government could have taken to address the crimes of the Jammeh regime. As I argued before, and I will never be tired of making the same argument until the government gets it, commissions of inquiries like the TRRC are a distortion of the rule of law and the worst way to deal with criminals. We did not have a polarized society that needed reconciliation. We had a bunch of criminals brutalizing the Gambian people that needed to be dealt with through the criminal justice system. The TRRC is just a ploy to allow confessed killers to go scot free and not be held accountable for their crimes.

The Attorney General should have never delegated his duty to prosecute criminals to a commission where perpetrators of crimes can appear and tell lies willy-nilly. These cases should have been thoroughly investigated in order to give prosecutors the upper hand when they examine witnesses in court. Every lawyer should know that that is the best way to get to the truth. We can never rely on pathological liars and psychopaths to come in and volunteer the truth. They are always looking for ways to escape liability.

As demonstrated by both Sana Sabally and Edward Singhateh, promising witnesses amnesty does not get you to the truth. The little truth that came out from these witnesses came through skillful cross examination.

But the problems of this TRRC, in light of Edward Singhateh’s testimony, goes beyond its inability to get to the truth. The testimony undermined the integrity of the TRRC mechanism. Clearly, Edward Singhateh gave statements that are directly contradictory to statements made by more credible witnesses such as Ebrima Chongan. A case in point is evidence given by Chongan that Edward Singhateh brought Sana Sabally to Mile Two on Friday, January 27, 1995. This is one among several incidents where Edward Singhateh sought to discredit the public record before the TRRC.

Because Edward Singhateh does not want to bear direct responsibility for the arrest, torture and subsequent murder of Sadibou Hydara, he denies having anything to do with Sana Sabally and Sadibou Hydara’s stay at Mile Two. He could not even remember the day the duo were arrested.

Whenever he was confronted with contradictory evidence, he nonchalantly told the commission that he is only giving his version. He recognizes that others have their own version; and he urges the commission to make its own conclusion. This betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the law of evidence and the shifting of the burden of proof, even in a commission of inquiry setting. What the commission has is solid evidence. He cannot equate that to mere assertions coming from someone who has an incentive to lie to protect his skin.

If you go back to the example above, Chongan narrated that in his book in 2009. The book was based on manuscripts he gathered in real time while he was in Mile Two. He had no incentive to lie. These statements have been corroborated by multiple witnesses, including Alaji Martin who testified that he was with Edward Singhateh. Now, how can you compare Chongan’s testimony to Edward Singhateh’s? Sadly, both versions are in the public domain and accorded equal weight, thanks to the flawed design of the transitional justice program. And saying that the lies will be sorted out from the truth when the TRRC prepares its report is no solace. How many Gambians are going to read the report?

But the impact of this contradiction pales in comparison to the impact of Edward Singhateh’s testimony on the murder of Koro Ceesay. Not only did Edward Singhateh deny his participation in the murder in the face of overwhelming evidence saying that he did it, Edward Singhateh also inserted himself in the murder trial of Yankuba Touray. If Edward Singhateh is telling the truth about the killing and burning of Koro Ceesay, then the government should drop its case against Yankuba Touray, because Edward Singhateh would have just given Yankuba Touray a solid alibi.

If on the other hand Edward Singhateh is not telling the truth, then the government has no choice but to charge him for lying to the commission and the murder of Koro Ceesay. There is nothing in the law stopping the TRRC from recommending that course of action to the Attorney General as we speak.

Edward Singhateh might have a right against self incrimination, but he does not have a license to lie to the commission. As a lawyer he should know how to invoke that right without lying to the commission, and in the process jeopardizing a live criminal case against another person. This government owes it to the family of Koro Ceesay and the citizens of the country to safeguard the criminal case against Yankuba Touray by bringing Edward Singhateh to book forthwith.

Muhamad Sosseh, Esq.
Washington, DC

October 23, 2019

By Momodou Ndow

Too many witnesses spoke about the devil, and too many witnesses said the devil did it. Edward Singhateh’s name was called a million times and he was also implicated in a million incidents. Since the TRRC started, the name Edward Singhateh has been echoed like a champion – witness upon witness, testimony opinions testimony! Essentially, all roads led to Edward Singhateh Avenue, and we are finally there. Edward came because there is no place to hide and he had no choice, not because he’s a nice murder who wanted to do the right thing by appearing on his own accord. The heat was too much, so he had to leave the kitchen and show up! By appearing at the TRRC, Edward did not do anyone a favor, rather, he was just trying to save a face that he doesn’t have. The TRRC had become a lying fest, and Edward was not going to be any different. The standard had already been set and maintained.

It is perfectly fine for a murder to be funny, but it is terribly bad for a murderer to try to make jokes while being questioned about their crimes. Edward didn’t need ice because he was sitting in the hot seat, he needed ice because he’s a cold blooded murderer who needed to keep him blood cold. He came with a strategy to deny and deflect, and see what would stick. If he was going to go down, he wanted to look cute in the process. So instead of having an accused murderer to answer questions about their alleged crimes, we had a lawyer attempting to defend himself and being a perfect fool for doing so.

The entire session was about Edward and his audience. He wanted to look smart and was constantly worried about those who are watching him. He wanted to endlessly clarify and contextualize because he didn’t want those watching him to think of him in a certain way. He wanted to be seen as polished and thoughtful, but he came across as calculating and manipulative. Anything that made him look good in the eyes of the audience, he basked in it and owned. Accept all general responsibility (because it’s less severe) and flatly deny all direct responsibility (because it’s more severe), regardless of the mountain of evidence presented. This is exactly the type of foolery that happens when a lawyer try’ s to represent himself or herself, you are unable to emotionally separate yourself and take a critical look at the evidence. If ten witnesses who all know you said they saw you commit a crime and you are the only one who said it didn’t happen, then you are lying. This is a reasonable conclusion anywhere.

Edward told us that Goloh is the type of kufang coward who would say “bailen ma ma hehh, y sorko bayey du hehh.” But it’s the same Edward, who told us in the Janneh Commission that Goloh took some of his portfolio away from him when he was a minister because he objected to Goloh’s release of a captured ship that was illegally fishing in the Gambian waters. After taking his portfolios away, he also said he was unable to get Goloh audience. He also said lots of other things that indicated that he was scared of Goloh! Basically, Edward was scared of the same coward he painted Goloh to be. When a coward is scared of another coward!

Edward denied beating or speaking to anyone when they went to Mile2 at that ungodly hour. He said no hour is ungodly and that God made all hours. Well, God also made all human life, but Edward serially ended some. A preaching murderer! Edward repeatedly said that they were “young and angry”, but he expect us to believe that he went to Mile2 at an ungodly hour as a “young and angry” soldier who just found himself at the helm of power (in Africa) to interrogate other officers, and he didn’t beat or speak to anyone? To add insult to injury, all his victims said he beat the daylights out of them too, and he said “it wasn’t me.”

According to Edward, these were not normal times and he is perfectly right about that. But somehow, he (Edward) the “young and angry” soldier was the only lucid person in the lot, and everyone else was wild and crazy and he tried to bring sanity. Goloh was wild, Sana Sabally was wild, and so were all the other officers that did the beating and shooting. Anything that was going to directly implicate him, he did not recall because it was so long ago. But for some weird reason, Edward recalled their takeover of Yundum and Fajara Barracks and narrated them one perfectly. He told us how he led the storming crew at Yundum Barracks and effortlessly took it over. He also perfectly narrated the Fajara barracks takeover and how he threw a grenade on the left side of the room to distract the subject, and then attacked him from the left side and captured him without a hitch.

But why did Edward recall these events so vividly and narrated them perfectly? Because they made Edward look good as a military man who excelled in what he was trained to do. Oh, and Edward also told us that he is a marksman and can take anyone out if he wants to kill, and he still holds the record in the GNA. Yep, the perfect soldier who later studied law and was never directly involved in shooting or torturing anyone as a “young and wild’ soldier who found himself at the wheel of power after staging a coup! The show was all about Edward Singhateh looking good as a soldier and a sophisticated fool of a lawyer attempting to defend himself from “manufactured” accusations.

Finally, we were now at the climax of it all, Koro Ceesay’s murder – the who done it! Right off the bat, Edward’s demeanor changed and his confidence level went down. He was folding his hands at times and periodically releasing some heavy sighs. He was less comfortable and not as confrontational, and he sounded more obedient. Guilt has a way of suffocating the conscience, and you can visibly see how smoking hot the chair was. With a significantly declined comfort level, Edward kept adjusting his body as if he was sitting on pins and needles, which was actually the case at that point. The only time that changed, was when Kanyi’s testimony was played. He became agitated and viciously wet after Kanyi. Clearly, there is something more between Edward and Kanyi (a man Edward claims not to know) that meets the eye! Then to cap it all off, Edward felt offended by being portrayed as a liar by Lead Counsel. Hello!