Gambian ex-military officer charged with desertion in war crimes trial

Manjang's appearance in military court represents one of the first high-profile proceedings against senior figures from the Jammeh era, which ended in 2017 when the longtime autocrat was forced into exile. Prosecutors have charged him with abandoning his military post, a charge that carries significant implications given his alleged role in extrajudicial killings and disappearances under the previous regime.

The case is being heard amid ongoing pressure from international human rights organizations and civil society groups for The Gambia to fully investigate alleged state crimes committed during Jammeh's two decades in power. A Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission has been examining such allegations, though prosecutions have remained limited.

Manjang's military trial is expected to provide rare public scrutiny of the security apparatus that operated under Jammeh's administration. The defendant's legal team has not yet indicated how they will respond to the desertion charges, and the court has scheduled additional proceedings to determine the case's trajectory.

The Gambia has faced international calls to establish mechanisms for accountability since Jammeh's departure, with The African Union and numerous governments urging comprehensive investigations into alleged human rights violations. Legal experts note that the military court proceeding signals potential movement on accountability issues that have long been contentious in post-Jammeh politics.