Gambia: Commemoration and Remembrance of December 30th Heroes

In December 2014, a group of Gambian citizens, realizing that it will take a shake up of the status quo in order to end abuse and tyranny in their beloved motherland, took it upon themselves to defend the dignity and honour of their people who were being killed, tortured, maimed, disappeared, raped, and abused by the Jammeh tyranny machine. After years of participating in numerous civic efforts to stop Yahya Jammeh’s brutal tyranny, they came to a sobering realization that only force would unclench the widespread and entrenched stranglehold Jammeh had on The Gambia. No longer able to bear witness to the long suffering of their people, these gallant heroes of that December found themselves compelled beyond caring for their own personal lives and livelihoods.

They risked everything to attempt a daring rescue of their nation and its citizenry from the clutches of brutality. They all knew the risks, yet they were driven by a cause greater than them. In their effort to bring freedom to their people, three of these gallant sons of the land laid down their lives. Their heavy gift was in effort to secure freedom for everyone of us and our future generations. They are Colonel Lamin Sanneh, Captain Njaga Jagne, and Sergeant Alagie Jaja Nyass.

Indeed they were proven right. It was only the threat of looming and eminent force from the ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia (ECOMIG) that finally removed dictator Jammeh from power.

We have all witnessed the irrefutable evidence that continues to emerge from the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) cataloguing the wanton brutality of the Jammeh regime over more than two decades. A regime that left in its wake untold victims, immense pain, and immeasurable suffering. Many mothers lost their sons, sons lost their mothers. Many children lost their fathers, fathers lost their children. Many wives lost their husbands, husbands lost their wives. And an entire nation was held captive in an atmosphere of mass fear and silence. In a sense, our entire nation suffered in various ways, to varying degrees.

This year marks the sixth year since the D30 Heroes gave all to their beloved Gambia. We implore all patriots to honour their memory by cherishing the peoples’ freedom that these gallant men watered with their blood. We ask each Gambian to commit to their own individual responsibility in guarding the freedom that was paid for so heavily by not only these heroes of December 30th, 2014, but by many others whose blood and sacrifices have stained this soil and watered our collective freedom. Let each of us hold our self responsible for ensuring that this country will never again kneel down from the pain of our people.

We pray for Colonel Lamin Sanneh, Captain Njaga Jagne, and Sergeant Alagie Jaja Nyass. We pray for ALL victims of tyranny, and for the souls of all Gambians, and indeed all Africans who gave their lives for the freedom of their people. At this moment, we ask everyone in the nation to join us in remembering their sacrifices and what compelled such heroes to give so heavily of themselves in an effort to rescue their motherland. Join us to pay tribute, pray for their souls to rest in eternal peace, and celebrate their legacy.

Commemoration events will be held over the next three days, starting today December 30th through January 1st, 2021.

We are grateful for all your prayers and support.

With Deep Sincerity,

Pa Baboucarr Njie

On behalf of the D30 Foundation