Death of Ex-Jungler Brigadier General Bora Colley Sparks Calls for Transparency
By Fatoumata Jaiteh
The death of Brigadier General Bora Colley, a former officer in The Gambia Armed Forces and a notorious member of the Jungler death squad under former dictator Yahya Jammeh, has sparked renewed calls for transparency from the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice Study (EFSCRJ). The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) announced Colley’s death on 10th March 2025, stating that he passed away on 9th March while in state custody.
Colley had been detained by the GAF in August 2024 after voluntarily surrendering to authorities on August 9, following years of exile in Equatorial Guinea. He was implicated in numerous crimes committed under the Jammeh regime, as documented by the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The TRRC had recommended his prosecution, along with other members of the Junglers, for the heinous crimes perpetrated during Jammeh’s rule.
The EFSCRJ has long advocated for accountability for the atrocities committed during the Jammeh era. Following the announcement of Colley’s death, the organisation expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the circumstances and called for a full coroner’s inquest. The Attorney General of The Gambia has since applied for an official inquiry into Colley’s death—a move welcomed by the EFSCRJ. However, the organisation insists that the findings must be made public to ensure full transparency and justice.
“We welcome the Attorney General’s decision to request an inquest into Brigadier General Colley’s death, but this must be the beginning of a full and open process,” said an EFSCRJ spokesperson. “We urge the Gambian authorities to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability by making the inquiry’s findings accessible to the public. Justice for the victims of the Jammeh regime must remain a priority, and this includes uncovering the truth about Colley’s death.”
The EFSCRJ emphasised that Colley’s death serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance in the pursuit of justice, noting that 2025 has been dubbed the "Year of Transparency and Accountability."
“The circumstances surrounding Colley’s death should not overshadow the broader need for justice for all victims of the Jammeh regime,” the EFSCRJ stated. “This is a critical year for The Gambia, and it is essential that the government upholds its promises of accountability, transparency, and reparations for victims.”
The EFSCRJ has pledged to closely monitor the inquiry into Colley’s death and will continue advocating for full accountability for crimes committed during the Jammeh era. As the Gambia Armed Forces and the government proceed with the investigation, the organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring transparency.
