Former Jungler Sanna Manjang Breaks Silence in Leaked Audio, Denies Ever Receiving Orders from Ex President Jammeh

By: Alieu Jallow

Former Jungler Left Lieutenant Colonel Sanna Manjang has denied ever speaking to former President Yahya Jammeh about the alleged human rights abuses that marked Jammeh’s twenty two years in power. Manjang, who has been in exile since the 2017 change of government, made the claims in a new audio released shortly before he was reportedly captured by Senegalese forces in the Cassamance region.

In the recording, Manjang insisted that allegations suggesting Jammeh directly instructed Junglers to commit abuses were fabricated. He argued that given his seniority within the unit it would have been impossible for Jammeh to bypass him and speak to junior operatives.

“All the allegations they are telling against the big man are lies. Look at me, I was their head, and I never spoke to him. So if they said the big man instructed them to do certain things, it is a lie. The big man cannot skip me as a lieutenant colonel and go to a junior man to tell x, y and z. I only see the big man like other people see him. I see him at a distance or on screen like many. I am in the outer coding and not inner coding,” he claimed.

Manjang further alleged that Momodou Rambo Jarju, Sulayman Sambou and others made several attempts to set him up. He said these incidents reportedly prompted Jammeh to contact him directly, warning him that intelligence operatives had identified his hideout and advising him to relocate.

“The big man himself called me and told me that the NIA are aware of my hideouts and that I should relocate, but I told him, Oga sir, with due respect, I am not going. Please forgive me for turning your orders down, but I want them to come so you will know how I am staying here,” he stated.

He also suggested that divisions within the group stemmed from internal mistrust and accusations against Jammeh. According to him, some of his former associates tried to implicate the ex president, which created tensions and forced them to separate. He added that speaking openly about them would prevent them from ever returning to The Gambia, which is why he chose to remain silent until now.

The leaked audio comes at a time when the issue of accountability for past abuses remains central to national discussions, especially following the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s recommendations. Manjang’s claims are expected to generate further debate over the role of Jammeh and the Junglers during the two decade rule.

 By: Alieu Jallow Former Jungler Left Lieutenant Colonel Sanna Manjang has denied ever speaking to former President Yahya Jammeh about the alleged human rights abuses that marked Jammeh’s twenty two years in power. Manjang, who has been in exile since the 2017 change of government, made the claims in a new audio released shortly before The Fatu Network