Two charged in US with attempting to overthrow Gambia government

Two men have been charged in the United States with conspiring to help overthrow the government in the small West African nation of The Gambia, federal prosecutors said.

Both men are in custody and were expected to make court appearances in Baltimore and Minneapolis.

The charges stem from a December 30 coup attempt in the former British colony, which came as its longtime ruler was away. The US state department had condemned the actions.

Prosecutors say the two men, Cherno Njie and Papa Faal, travelled separately from the United States to The Gambia to participate in the unrest there. They later returned to the US and are now in custody.

Faal, 46, a dual citizen of the US and The Gambia who lives in Minnesota, told investigators that he joined a movement bent on overthrowing the government because of concern elections were being rigged and over “the plight of the people”, according to court papers.

Prosecutors say he purchased semi-automatic rifles in Minnesota that were then shipped by cargo ship to The Gambia.

Njie, 57, is a US citizen of Gambian descent who lives in Austin, Texas.