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Gambia’s capital rocked by gunfire amid reports of attempted coup Gambia’s capital rocked by gunfire amid reports of attempted coup
(about 3 hours later)
Gunfire erupted in the capital of the Gambia, Banjul, overnight as soldiers blocked the bridge leading to the centre of the coastal city amid media reports of an attempted coup. Gunfire erupted around the presidential palace in Banjul, capital of the Gambia, overnight and soldiers blocked the bridge leading to the centre of the coastal city amid media reports of an attempted coup.
A diplomat said unknown gunmen had attacked State House during the night but shooting died down later. Local media and diplomats said the Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh, was in France when the violence broke out. A diplomat said unknown gunmen had attacked State House during the night. Local diplomats and media said the Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh, was in France when the violence broke out.
Jammeh, who came to power in a coup 20 years ago, has stifled dissent in the small west African country and faced increased criticism from abroad over his human rights record. Banks and other offices in the capital and surrounding neighbourhoods remained closed and residents locked themselves indoors. State radio played traditional kora music and did not refer to the incident.
In recent years, Jammeh has frequently reshuffled senior military and civilian officials, a move that prevented individuals from becoming too powerful but has led to instability. A French foreign ministry spokesman said Jammeh was not on an official visit in Paris and diplomatic sources said there was no indication that he was in France on a private visit either.
Banks and other offices remained closed on Tuesday, residents said. State radio played traditional kora music and did not refer to the incident. There was no official confirmation of reports on Twitter and media of an attempted coup but a senior west African diplomat said mutineers were in control of some strategic pockets of the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
There was no official confirmation of the reports on Twitter or other media of an attempted coup. Jammeh, 49, who came to power in a coup 20 years ago, has stifled dissent and faced increased criticism from abroad over his human rights record.
In recent years he has frequently reshuffled senior military and civilian officials, a policy that has prevented potential rivals accruing power but which has contributed to instability.