Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, the Chief of Defence of The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has warned against indiscipline in the army, claiming that ‘indiscipline and disloyalty will not be compromise in the army’.
The country’s army chief made these remarks on Tuesday at Farafenni during a meeting with soldiers of the 2 Infantry Battalion as he and the delegation continued on his countrywide tour of visiting military installations.
During the meeting, CDS Cham outlined his vision for the army, adding: “We want to massively transform the army and bring a lot of unprecedented development.”
Capacity building training, he went on, will continue to be among his top priorities with the desire of ensuring that the GAF become a professional army.
Responding to some of the concerns raised by soldiers of the battalion, the army chief assured that his administration is working tirelessly in ensuring that the issues affecting soldiers become the things of the past. “We are currently with the director of engineering of the army and I can assure you all that all your concerns are noted. In fact, after the tour, some of the issues you highlighted will be addressed,” he postulated.
He urges soldiers of the battalion to strengthen the Civil Military Relations (CMR) that continue to exist between them and inhabitants of the area. “We also want you people to collaborate with the other security services in the region with the desire of maintaining peace and tranquility in the region and the country at large. We are not in competition, thus it is important that you work together as a team.”
Rohey Bittaye Darboe, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence underscored the significance of the tour, while assuring her ministry continued commitment in alleviating the difficulties Gambian soldiers are encountering.
At the Laminkoto meeting, local dwellers of the area hailed the soldiers of the military post for their continued support in addressing some of the challenges affecting them.
The alkalo of the village added: “We want to thank the soldiers for their support to the community of the area. I can tell you that the Navy at the Laminkoto crossing point are supporting pregnant women in the area in term of helping them to cross to Janjangbureh among others.”
