The Men Who Took Power: Where Are Gambia’s 1994 Coup Leaders Now? | Bitilo-In-Depth Documentary

Thirty years after the military coup that ended Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara’s government, Bitilo revisits one of the most consequential moments in Gambian history. On 22 July 1994, a group of young military officers led by Yahya Jammeh seized power, bringing nearly three decades of civilian rule to an abrupt end. They promised accountability, discipline, and change. Instead, The Gambia would experience more than two decades of military-backed rule, political repression, and human rights abuses that continue to shape the nation’s politics today. In this Bitilo documentary, we explore: The events that led to the 1994 military coup Who the AFPRC leaders were before they seized power How each member of the junta rose—and in some cases fell—from power The internal betrayals that reshaped the military government The findings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) Where Yahya Jammeh, Sanna Sabally, Edward Singhateh, Sadibou Hydara, Yankuba Touray, and other key figures are today The ongoing search for justice through domestic and international accountability efforts Featuring archival footage, historical analysis, and a detailed examination of one of the defining chapters in Gambian history, this documentary seeks to understand not only what happened on July 22, 1994, but also the lasting legacy of the men who changed the course of a nation. This documentary is intended for educational and historical purposes and is based on publicly available records, court proceedings, the TRRC findings, and other credible historical sources. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:30 The Morning Everything Changed 03:30 Yahya Jammeh: From Lieutenant to President 06:20 Sanna Sabally: The Revolution Turns Inward 09:00 Edward Singhateh: Strategy and Power 11:30 Sadibou Hydara: The Junta’s First Casualty 13:00 Yankuba Touray: Accountability Arrives 15:10 The Forgotten Soldiers 16:20 Justice, Memory, and Legacy ⸻ Subscribe to Bitilo for in-depth documentaries, exclusive interviews, and trusted analysis on Gambian politics, history, and current affairs. #TheGambia #July221994 #YahyaJammeh #AFPRC #Bitilo #GambianHistory #Documentary #TRRC #WestAfrica #AfricanHistory