Brigadier General Mamat Cham has apologized to the Gambians for his role in the 1994 military takeover.
The leader of the United Democratic Party, Ousainou Darboe, has refused an offer of a cabinet position from Yahya Jammeh and his military collaborators after the takeover in July 22, 1994, revealed Brigadier General Mamat Cham before the Truth Commission on Wednesday
This make Darboe the third prominent Gambian, after Samuel Sarr and Halifa Sallah, to reject a cabinet position from the military.
Cham said the Junta have visited Darboe at his home but he refused to see them, adding that they would later offer Fafa Mbaye who accepted it.
He said by Mbaye asked for a delay in the announcement of his role until he returned from United Kingdom where he was travelling.
Cham has played a role in guiding the coup plotters after the takeover. He was later arrested jailed at Mile 2 for 27 months where he was subjected to torture and mock execution.
He said a former member of the Junta, Edward Singhateh, shoved an AK47 in his mouth and was “playing with the safety catch…”
“If he released the bullets, I would have died instantly. It was on a semi-automatic mood and it could have released volleys of fire in my head,” said Cham.
“I felt humiliated…”
Cham, among the first 29 officials arrested following the coup, was tortured with Chongan, RSM Jeng among others.