Yaya Darboe’s Harrowing Testimony Reveals Correa’s Brutal Torture Techniques

Yaya Darboe left, Correa middle and prosecutor on the right © Robyn Cochran-Ragland/CJA

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT

Denver, Colorado — 9th April 2025

The second day of Michael Sang Correa’s trial in Denver, Colorado, resumed after lunch with testimony from Yaya Darboe, a lieutenant colonel then in the Gambia Armed Forces during the failed March 2006 Ndure Cham coup.

Darboe recounted how he had once known Correa as a disciplined soldier and expressed disbelief in court after identifying him as one of his torturers. According to Darboe, Correa subjected him to severe abuse, including beatings, burning a plastic bag on his body, and hoisting him in a sack before dropping him to the ground, all while other Jungler agents laughed.

His testimony marked a chilling moment in the landmark trial, in which the U.S. government has charged Michael Sang Correa—its first non-U.S. citizen—with the torture of six victims in The Gambia.

Darboe began his account by describing how he joined the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) in September 1995, inspired by then-President Yahya Jammeh’s 22nd July 1994 coup that ousted President Dawda Jawara. He testified that the Junglers were specially selected from GAF officers and operated outside standard military rules. Among them, he named Michael Correa, Sanna Manjang, and others. At one point, Correa served as a military police officer responsible for discipline.

Darboe noted that prior to 2006, Correa had been a respectful and disciplined soldier. During cross-examination by prosecutors, Darboe stated he learnt of the coup attempt on March 19, 2006. He said Wassa Camara recruited him to rally support at Yundum Barracks, where Darboe served as adjutant with control over soldiers and access to the armoury.

After the coup failed, Darboe was arrested by Staff Sergeant Ceesay and others—without handcuffs—and taken to the Mile 2 prison's security wing. From there, he was transferred to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) headquarters, where he endured repeated torture sessions. Eventually, the Junglers handcuffed him with his hands tied behind his back. He was ominously warned to “cooperate and save your skin from torture.”

At the notorious “burial area,” Darboe was forced to the floor with cement blocks placed on his body while a Jungler sat on him. He was insulted, burnt with cigarette butts, and beaten on the back to avoid visible injuries during his televised apology.

Prosecutors pressed Darboe for more details about the torture, and he described Correa standing over him with a wire coil. He said Correa subjected him to four brutal beatings, each lasting what felt like 45 minutes. During the torture, he was repeatedly questioned about the coup’s sponsors, weapons, and collaborators. At one point, he was struck in the left eye and lost consciousness.

Darboe identified Hydara, a former NIA Deputy Director, as one of the individuals interrogating him and threatening him with further abuse. After suffering serious injuries, including a bloodied head, Correa attempted to place a black plastic bag over Darboe’s head. However, Musa Jammeh—also known as Malia Mungu, the president’s personal protector and leader of the Junglers—intervened and stopped him.

Later, Darboe was thrown into a dark room and severely beaten by unidentified individuals. He eventually saw Correa, along with Junglers Sanna Manjang, Dembo Jarju, and others, emerging from the same room. Prosecutors asked him to identify Correa by his appearance—black suit, dreadlocks, and glasses—which he did.

Darboe also described how Correa melted a plastic bag onto his left thigh. Photographs of his injuries were shown in court and submitted as evidence. He further testified about being stuffed into a sack, hoisted into the air, and dropped to the ground while the Junglers laughed. He asserted that Correa actively participated in these cruel acts.

Despite the brutality, Darboe noted that some Junglers—namely Bora Colley and Malick Jatta—refused to beat him. The defence raised objections at this point, but they were overruled by Judge Christine Arguello. Darboe emphasised that while Colley and Jatta faced no consequences for refusing to torture him, Correa and others—like Manjang and Jarju—were excessively violent. “I couldn’t believe this was the Michael Correa I knew,” he said.

Photos of Darboe’s burns, thigh injuries, and other wounds were entered into evidence, despite defence objections. Darboe told jurors he later suffered complications, including poor vision and a broken eyeball, as diagnosed by a doctor.

During his ordeal, Darboe also witnessed the torture of Pierre Mendy, now deceased and one of Correa’s alleged victims in the case. Correa is facing six counts of torture and conspiracy to torture, each carrying a potential 20-year sentence—for a total of 120 years if convicted.

Darboe identified his cell in Mile 2’s security wing and described how he saw Mendy being transported, unable to walk unassisted. “I observed injuries on his thighs and buttocks—they were all swollen,” he said. Again, the defence attempted to object but was overruled.

He explained that Mendy received only minimal treatment—plasters and painkillers. Eventually, after enduring extensive torture, Darboe was coerced into writing a forced confession. He was later court-martialed and sentenced to life imprisonment for treason and conspiracy to commit treason.

After serving more than nine years in Mile 2, Darboe was pardoned on 27th July 2015. He remained in The Gambia for a month before fleeing to Senegal via Farafenni. He testified that many others used the country’s porous northern and southern borders to escape.

Darboe concluded his testimony by discussing the lasting psychological trauma he continues to face. He experiences severe anxiety from nighttime noises and struggles to fall back asleep. He also shared the personal toll of his experience—losing his father to heartbreak, his wife leaving him, and his only brother dying while he was imprisoned.

Defense Cross-Examination Begins

On 9th April 2025, the defence began its cross-examination of Yaya Darboe. The day started with an announcement that an injured juror would be replaced for the rest of the trial.

Defence attorney Jared Westbrook questioned Darboe’s prior testimony before the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), referencing events such as the arson attack on The Independent newspaper and the April 2000 student massacre, in which “14 people were killed, including six children.” At one point, the defence asked if Lamin Waa Juwara had been assassinated by the government.

Darboe also described a visit to congratulate Chief of Defence Staff Ndure Cham on his appointment. According to Darboe, Cham shockingly remarked (translated), “We are going to f*** his mother,” in reference to then-President Yahya Jammeh.

Our next publication will feature more witness testimonies from the third day of the trial. Below are links to previous publications on the Michael Correa trial.

Michael Correa’s First Torture Victim Identifies Him in Court

Prosecutor and Defense Put Up Vivid Opening Statements on Landmark Correa Torture Trial

U.S. Court Opens First-Ever Universal Jurisdiction Trial Against Non-Citizen for Torture