There are reports of an attempted coup in the Gambia following heavy gunfire near the country’s presidential palace in Banjul.
The incident took place in the absence of the country’s President, Yahya Jammeh who is on a trip abroad.
The AFP news agency is reporting that the attempted coup was staged by soldiers from the presidential guard.
Although there has not been any official statement on the matter, an unnamed government official is quoted as saying, “they wanted to overthrow the regime.”
The AFP is also reporting that the attackers have been beaten back.
President Jammeh who seized power 20 years ago through a coup has in recent times been reshuffling his senior military and civilian officials.
The move is believed to prevent his officials from becoming powerful.
The Gambian President has over the years been criticized over his leadership style.
By: citifmonline.com/Ghana