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Thousands mourn Gambian pro-democracy activist Solo Sandeg

THOUSANDS took to the streets of the Gambian capital on Tuesday for the state funeral of a pro-democracy activist who died during detention in 2016 following protests against former dictator Yahya Jammeh.

Mourners lined the streets of Banjul as police passed by carrying the flag-draped coffin of Solo Sandeng.

Mr Sandeng was arrested along with dozens of others on April 14, 2016, after he organised a protest against the brutal dictatorship of Mr Jammeh.

His death in custody, which was announced two days later, led to a wave of pro-democracy protests which ultimately led to Mr Jammeh’s defeat at presidential elections in December 2016 by Adama Barrow.

Justice Minister Dawda Jallow paid tribute to Mr Sandeng, describing him as “a man who paid the ultimate price in fighting for the cause he genuinely believed in.”

His eldest son Muhammed told the funeral service that his father was “a national hero for Gambians.” 

Mr Sandeg’s body was exhumed in March 2017 and six members of Jammeh’s National Intelligence Agency were convicted of his murder in July 2022 — the agency’s former director being sentenced to death.

Banjul has observed a moratorium on executions, with death sentences converted to life in jail.

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