President Adama Barrow has strongly condemned an alleged coup attempt to overthrow his government as “regrettable”, adding that it can never be justified, as he delivered his new year address to the nation.

Speaking on the coup for the first time, Barrow thanked the Gambia Armed Forces high command and the Intelligence Service for foiling the alleged coup against his administration.

“It is regrettable that a handful of soldiers recently planned to overthrow the democratically elected government of the day. 

“The devastating consequences of illegally overthrowing a constitutionally elected government can never justify the means employed, nor the ill-advised purposes for such deadly crimes. 

“Gambians have lived through a military regime, and they know how military takeovers have destabilised, disunited and isolated countries within the sub-region that struggle to live with them,” the president said.

“The Gambia is a multiparty democracy, and citizens can legally contest for public office if they wish. To do otherwise amounts to treason and carries severe penalties.  

“I thank and commend the Intelligence Service and the GAF High Command for boldly and promptly taking action to foil the plot. 

“They have demonstrated that, if we are united and vigilant as patriotic citizens, we will safely defend our country and continue our development programmes. 

“These are times for national reconciliation and consolidation of our democratic institutions, and not time to revert to lawlessness, subversion, and unconstitutional tendencies.

“Because there are effective measures to ensure that justice prevails, all unlawful acts, mob justice inclusive, will not be tolerated. Wherever we may be, we must take charge to make our environment safe and maintain peace, law and order,” he added.

At least eight soldiers have been arrested in connection with the alleged coup, as the government searched for more accomplices including civilians.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba