This is something right out of the pages of Soldier of Fortune.
I love stories like this.
A small clique of US citizens of Gambian origin are accused of masterminding an alleged coup to overthrow the dictator of The Gambia (yes, it has the word "The" in front of it). One of them is a Texas businessman.
Here's the story:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30686627
Gambia has one of the worst human rights records in Africa and is run by the type of Woody Allen/Bananas type dictator right out of central casting. His name is Yahya Jammeh. Among other things, he:
*Seized power in 1994, aged 29
*Stamped out all opposition
*Claims to be able to cure HIV/Aids
*In 2011, told the BBC he would rule for "a billion years"
The actual coup plot reads like a Hollywood screenplay. Here's the actual criminal complaint. You have to see this:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/...laint.html
This was going to be one of those old-school style coups. But somebody flapped his lips and the game was up.
What does it take to seize power in a country, or in any conspiratorial enterprise?
1. Secrecy
2. Logistics
3. Initiative
4. Luck
I also figure that if the US is prosecuting these guys, then the current Gambian despot must be a friend of the US.
I love stories like this.
A small clique of US citizens of Gambian origin are accused of masterminding an alleged coup to overthrow the dictator of The Gambia (yes, it has the word "The" in front of it). One of them is a Texas businessman.
Here's the story:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30686627
Gambia has one of the worst human rights records in Africa and is run by the type of Woody Allen/Bananas type dictator right out of central casting. His name is Yahya Jammeh. Among other things, he:
*Seized power in 1994, aged 29
*Stamped out all opposition
*Claims to be able to cure HIV/Aids
*In 2011, told the BBC he would rule for "a billion years"
The actual coup plot reads like a Hollywood screenplay. Here's the actual criminal complaint. You have to see this:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/...laint.html
This was going to be one of those old-school style coups. But somebody flapped his lips and the game was up.
What does it take to seize power in a country, or in any conspiratorial enterprise?
1. Secrecy
2. Logistics
3. Initiative
4. Luck
I also figure that if the US is prosecuting these guys, then the current Gambian despot must be a friend of the US.