Lang Tombong Tamba

Lang Tombong Tamba was the Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambian Armed Forces until his arrest, detention and trial in an attempted coup. He joined the Gambian Army as a recruit in 1986. He then rose through the ranks to become the first Gambian soldier to be Lieutenant General. On 22 March 2006, he was appointed as the chief of defense staff, Defense Headquarters with duties to oversee the Army, the Navy and the National Guard. Prior to this appointment, he was the State Guard Commander, being responsible for the personal security of the Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh. He was seen as a key Jammeh loyalist until his arrest and detention on 9 October 2009. Allegations of an attempted coup was then preferred against him, along with seven other accused persons. He denied the charges, insisting on his innocence, and absolute commitment to President Jammeh's government.