Testimony in the trial of the alleged MFDC rebels continued on Wednesday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Magistrate B.Y. Camara.

Continuing his testimony, detective Amadou Sanyang told the court that on 30th May 2007 Tamsir Badjie, the 6th accused person to appear before the panel, admitted, in reply to a question about his nationality, that he hailed from the southern Senegalese region of Casamance and is a member of the MFDC rebels fighting against the Senegalese government. He added that the accused was further asked a wide range of questions, including his mission in The Gambia; if he was a member of the group of five; items recovered from the group of five such as a lap top, camera, maps of The Gambia and Senegal, photographs of key military installations including those of Fajara barracks and State House, military equipment like AK 47 magazines, cash books, monies, two motor bikes and a bag of talisman. He stated that the accused denied knowledge of the said items or belonging to the group of five, but added that the accused admitted being a member of the MFDC.

Detective Sanyang further testified that after the question and answer session, he obtained the cautionary statement of the accused in the presence of Tijan Bah, an independent witness.

On 4th June 2007, he added, the 3rd accused, Nuha Jammeh, also appeared before the panel to clarify certain doubts about the arms and ammunition found in their possession but that the accused said that the items were buried in the Casamance forest before coming to The Gambia. He added that after the statement was obtained from him in the presence of the same Tijan Bah as independent witness. On 13th June 2007, he continued, the 9th accused, Wuye Jarju, also appeared before the panel where he admitted being a native of Casamance and a member of the MFDC. He said the accused denied knowledge of the recovered items or belonging to the group of five. He said a statement was similarly obtained from him afterwards in the presence of Tijan Bah.

Hearing continues today.