Former Jammeh long-serving interior minister, Ousman Sonko is willing to testify on Deyda Hydara’s death if the Gambia’s TRRC invites him, a family confidant disclosed to forGambia Wednesday.

Sonko, who until putting together this developing story is still detained by Swiss authorities nearing three years, spoke to a family confidant who visited him at his detention center last weekend. “Ous is doing well and is following events in The Gambia very well,” the source stated.

forGambia cannot establish if the TRRC did contact Switzerland for Sonko’s availability in the wake of serious allegations beeping that he took part in the murder of late Point Newspaper’s strongman and managing editor, Deyda Hydara who was gunned down in 2004. Hydara’s demise, like the disappearance of former Daily Observer’s Chief Ebrima Manneh as well as many other Gambians has been one of former Jammeh regime’s septic conundrum. 

No serious or independent investigation was  mounted by Gambia’s APRC regime regarding both cases. Rumors, consequently metastasized over the years with the emergence of certain names tied to the nocturnal shooting and killing of Hydara.

Former Gambia National Army personnel, Baye Lowe took the lead in coming up with bold revelations at a time the Jammeh administration witnessed the beginning of detailed and damning allegations regarding murder and forced disappearances.  

Lowe specifically mentioned Sanna Manjang to be a core conspirator as the late Hydara drove to a bullet with his staff, some of whom sustained injuries. Manjang’s interrogation, if any has neither been officially mounted, nor declared by the then authorities pertaining to such allegations.

While the public in The Gambia remains mute, yet curious about Hydara’s end, only a twist of fate enabled more damning revelations and allegations, including grave financial mismanagements and excesses of the Jammeh administration at a time that punctuated a serious weakening of the regime.

 With Jammeh’s cabinet showing intermittent discomposure, it was Sonko’s turn to flee. A much more serious portrait of fate ushered in a complete regime change with the advent of an Adama Barrow-led coalition that removed Jammeh. Sonko’s fate became much complicated as the Swiss authorities received some extradition pressures from outside.