Gambia: Two army officers arrested over alleged foiled coup plot

Gambia’s security services have arrested two military officers who are suspected of being involved in a coup attempt against President Adama Barrow last week, Gambia’s government spokesperson said.

The government said on 21 December that a group of soldiers had been arrested in connection with the alleged plot to overthrow President Barrow’s government in the tiny West African nation of 2.5 million people, which is almost surrounded by Senegal.

“Two more soldiers linked to the alleged foiled coup plot were arrested over the weekend and are helping investigators unearth allegations of plans to overthrow the government,” according to a government statement. The two, who have not been named, were arrested on Monday.

A second lieutenant of the Gambian infantry, and a captain from the military intelligence and security unit were reportedly arrested over the weekend, while the search for other alleged plotters was ongoing. Seven people, including two officers and five soldiers, have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged plot that has been condemned by leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West Africa’s main regional body.

The region has witnessed six successful military coups, and a violent attempted coup since 2020, raising concerns over the backslide of democracy in a region that had been seen to be making progress in shedding its ‘coup belt’ moniker.