Gambia jails ex-minister for life over coup plot

A court in Gambia on Monday sentenced a former information minister, who is also a US national, for plotting to overthrow the government of President Yahya Jammeh.

Judge Emmanuel Nkea found Amadou Scatred Janneh and three others guilty of "conspiring among themselves to carry out an enterprise with force with the intent to usurp the executive powers of the state."

Janneh was also found guilty on charges that "on or about the month of May 2011, he distributed T-shirts bearing 'Coalition for Change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now' with intent to usurp the executive powers of the state."

Janneh, 48, was communications minister in 2005 and 2006. He has also worked with the US embassy in Banjul as political and economic affairs officer.

The president, an outspoken military officer and former wrestler who took power in a bloodless coup in 1994, has been accused of running the west African country with an iron fist and flouting human rights.

Since coming to power, Jammeh has jailed dozens of army officers - some sentenced to death while others get life imprisonment for allegedly attempting to overthrow his government.

Jammeh was elected for a fourth term in office in November, a result he had said was "a foregone conclusion".

He regularly reshuffles his cabinet in what observers say is a move to avoid a rival power base from forming.

Janneh's lawyer said they will appeal within three months of his conviction.