By Makutu Manneh
In his bid to assess his troops’ welfare and combat operational readiness across the country, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of The Gambia Armed Forces has warned soldiers against speeding when driving, during his annual tour of military deployments in the country. The tour is meant for soldiers to have an interface and direct conversation with their Chief, and the opportunity to express their needs and concerns as troop members of GAF. Similarly, the tour also avails the CDS the opportunity to inform his troops about his vision as well as to gather first-hand information about their work and living conditions.
In his address to soldiers, CDS and Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham warned that from henceforth, any soldier who damages military property will have to pay for it.
“Henceforth, we are going to enforce this rule to the letter. We cannot continue to damage the little we have,” CDS Cham told the soldiers.
He further told his troops that most of their military equipment is outsourced, and a lot of resources are spent before they are acquired. CDS Cham said that the soldiers must take care of what they are issued, and warned them that they should do their patrols responsibly.
CDS Cham advised the soldiers to take their job seriously because they are unlike any other institution in the country.
He said the army wants to make sure soldiers understand their roles and mandates as enshrined in the country’s constitution and said: “You cannot be inside the Armed Forces and know the mandate the people give you, and you act foolishly on it. We are known for our discipline.”
He told the soldiers that the Gambia Armed Forces is an important pillar in the country, and said if a country does not have a strong army, others will take the country for granted.
Accompanying the CDS on this tour was Brigadier General Sait Njie, Commander of the Gambia National Army. Brigadier General Njie elaborated on the issues highlighted by the CDS, stating that accidents caused to military properties are becoming unbearable.
He further said that lots of lives are being wasted and “many soldiers are dying because of these accidents.” He reminded them that military vehicles are very expensive and said that if accidents occur, they will conduct thorough investigations, and if the driver and vehicle commander are found wanting, they will be charged and will pay for their actions.
