At least four people were killed on Thursday 11 August in a recurring tragedy of road traffic accidents in recent times across the country. This time around, five state guard military personnel were involved, killing all four and leaving one hospitalised. 

A press dispatch from the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed that the car crash happened at Ndemban in Foni, along the south bank road of the country. They were reportedly travelling as part of the rear party of the Presidential Convoy.

The Office of The President has also issued a statement on Thursday, explaining that the personnel were escorting reserve vehicles of the convoy to President Adama Barrow’s native Mankamang Kunda village. The president had left earlier in the day for his annual holiday.  

The security personnel involved were identified as Lance corporal Kebba Sanneh, Corporal Ansumana Danso, Lance Corporal Saikou Touray and Lance corporal Ousman Jobe. First class Ndedeh Bahoum was hospitalised in Bwiam hospital. 

While the cause of the accident is still not explained by the authorities, presidential convoys have been a source of much tragedy on the roads. 

In investigating the human rights violations that occured under former President Yahya Jammeh, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) dedicated a specific session dealing with presidential convoys, revealing that at least 20 people were killed in what it desrcribes as ‘display of force and power.’ 

Most of the convoy accidents were caused by overspeeding along with other factors such as throwing of biscuits and T-shirts while the convoy was moving, attacks on people who failed to acknowledge the convoy, attacks on those who were perceived as threats to the convoy and attacks on those who did not give way to the convoy during the former regime. 

In view of this, the TRRC recommended that members of the convoy of the presidential and vice Chairman’s convoys, including former President Yahya Jammeh, be investigated and prosecuted for murder, manslaughter and other road traffic offences committed by them.

“The Commission also recommends that Parliament enacts legislation and or regulations limiting the privileges of convoys, including the President’s convoy. This could be included in the Motor Traffic Act or Highway Code,” stated in Volume 5 of the TRRC report submitted to the executive in November last year. 

The govt’s response 

The government did not accept the recommendations. It has NOTED them, adding that “presidential convoys have certain privileges based on security issues and are important to protect the administrative and security network of the President and for general public safety. As such regulations should not limit privileges but regulate how a convoy operates while guaranteeing the safety of the public.”

While it may be argued that the accident occurred outside of the convoy of the president, the fact remains that they were still on the presidential convoy mission and enjoyed the same privileges which the TRRC recommended to be limited through a parliamentary legislation.