Gambian soldiers attempt to carry out coup
Iran Press TV
Tue Dec 30, 2014 2:17PM GMT
Soldiers in the West African nation of Gambia have attempted to carry out a pre-dawn coup while President Yahya Jammeh was out of the country, official sources say.
Military and diplomatic sources confirmed the unsuccessful coup attempt in the capital city of Banjul, on Tuesday.
'The presidential palace was attacked very early this morning, at around 3:00 am (0300 GMT), by armed individuals of whom some came from the presidential guard,' an unnamed Gambian diplomat said.
An army source also said the Gambian police and army had taken full control of the situation. A Western diplomat said the coup attempt had "apparently been foiled."
It is not known where the country's president was at the time of the incident. Gambian officials say the president was in Dubai, while foreign diplomats suggest he was in France.
Jammeh, the country's former head of military police, has ruled Gambia since 1994 when he rose to power in a coup against founding leader Sir Dawda Jawara.
Although he was formally elected president in 1996 while fighting against what he called widespread corruption, he is currently under pressure for serious human rights violations.
SZH/KA
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