By Mustapha Jallow
The 3 injured soldiers who were shot by ECOMIG forces in Kanilai, have been discharged from hospital and have resumed work, a military source in Kanilai says.
Speaking to Foroyaa, Lieutenant Colonel Omar B. Bojang, the spokesperson of GAF confirmed that the injured soldiers were finally discharged and have resumed their official duties. He added that one was discharged during the weekend while the other two were discharged on the following day.
The three Gambian soldiers were shot and injured by the ECOMIG soldiers at Kanilai village, on 20 April 2017, around 10 am.
Modou Mbye, a Private, was admitted at Bwiam Hospital while the other two, Private Ebrima Manga and Lance Corporal Suwaibou Sanyang, were admitted at the military clinic near state house.
In the morning of 20 April while guarding the president’s home at Kanilai, a group of ECOMIG troops came in their vehicle and wanted to use force to enter the premises but the Gambian soldiers guarding the premises refused; a push and pull ensued which eventually led to gunshots triggered by one of the ECOMIG soldiers. The Minister of the Interior told reporters at a press briefing the following day that the incident was due to miscommunication between the two commands and the gunshot was accidental. He emphasised that there was no serious confrontation between the Gambia Armed Forces and ECOMIG.
Speaking on behalf of the Alkalo of Kanilai, Mr Sainey Jammeh, a brother of former president Jammeh, described the situation as calm.
GAF spokesperson, Bojang had earlier said shortly after the incident that the conflict was caused by misunderstanding between the two forces. He added that the two authorities are tasked to put up a joint board of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the gunshots.
