Sadibou Hydara

Sadibou Hydara (April 1964 – 6 June 1995)^[1][2] was an important Gambian military. He was a key figure in the 1994 coup d'état that overthrew the government of President Dawda Jawara. Hydara was a founding member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) and he briefly served as the Minister of the Interior before his arrest and death in custody in 1995.^[3]

Sadibou Hydara
Minister of the Interior, The Gambia
In office July 1994 – 27 January 1995
President	Yahya Jammeh
Member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council
In office 1994–1995
Personal details
Born	(1964-04-01)April 1, 1964 Dippakunda, The Gambia
Died	3 June 1995 Mile Two Prison, Banjul, The Gambia
Occupation	Military officer, Politician
Military service
Allegiance	The Gambia
Branch/service	Gambia National Army
Rank	Captain

Early life and career

Sadibou Hydara was born in April 1964 in Dibba Kunda, Serekunda. He spent much of his childhood in Sierra Leone where his father was a trader.^[3] He acquired his secondary school education at the prestigious all-boys Ansarul Islamic Boys Secondary School in Koidutown. After he completed his secondary school education, Hydara returned to the Gambia, where he attended Gambia College in Brikama.

Military career

Hydara joined the Gambia Gambia National Gendarmerie and steadily rose through the ranks. He also study at a number of military colleges and academies around the world,^[3] including the United States, Turkey, France, Cuba, and United Kingdom and served in various United Nations and ECOWAS peacekeeping operations. He was a member of the first Gambia contingent of the ECOWAS peacekeeping mission in Liberia (ECOMOG).

Role in the 1994 coup d'état

Hydara played a central role in the successful military coup that brought Yahya Jammeh to power. After the coup he was appointed Minister of the Interior and the spokesman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC).

1995 Coup attempt

Arrest and death

On 27 January 1995, less than a year after the coup, Hydara was arrested for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the AFPRC leader, Yahya Jammeh.^[4] He was detained at Mile Two prison. Hydara was subjected to severe torture while in detention.^[5] On 3 June 1995, before standing trial, he died in custody. Official reports cited natural causes, but his family disputed this, stating he had no known health issues.^[3]

Languages

Hydara spoke English, French, Arabic, Wolof, and his native Mandinka.