**Former ‘Death Squad’ Leader Faces Military Trial in The Gambia**
**Banjul, The Gambia – September 21, 2026** – Sanna Manjang, the former head of the Gambian paramilitary unit known as the "Junglers," appeared in a military court today to face charges of desertion. This trial is part of a broader effort by the Gambian authorities to address human rights abuses that occurred during the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Manjang is accused of abandoning his post in the armed forces when he fled The Gambia in 2017, following the end of Jammeh's 20-year rule. His absence from the military is said to have lasted for a continuous period of nine years, during which he allegedly intended to desert. He was arrested in Senegal last November and subsequently repatriated to The Gambia in December 2025.
The Junglers, the paramilitary unit led by Manjang, operated independently from the Gambian army and has been implicated in numerous human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and torture. The United Nations has previously condemned the group for its actions during Jammeh's presidency.
Manjang's appearance in court comes on the heels of a previous case in which he faced murder charges related to the killings of several individuals, including the prominent journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004. However, those murder charges were dropped in July 2026 due to difficulties in summoning witnesses, many of whom were reportedly linked to the Junglers. The Gambian judicial system has faced challenges in prosecuting cases related to the abuses committed during Jammeh's rule.
In addition to the murder charges that were dismissed, Manjang has been charged separately for the assault of two other men, and this trial is ongoing. The Gambian government has made strides toward accountability for the crimes committed under Jammeh's regime, particularly through the establishment of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The TRRC investigated the extensive human rights abuses during Jammeh's tenure, revealing that between 240 and 250 people were killed by state forces.
Since Jammeh's departure, several of his associates, including members of the Junglers, have faced justice abroad, with some being detained and sentenced in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
As the trial progresses, it highlights the ongoing efforts in The Gambia to confront its past and seek justice for the victims of state-sponsored violence. The military court's proceedings against Manjang are a significant step in the country's journey toward accountability and reconciliation.