By Kebba AF Touray
The National Assembly of the Gambia on Monday, 17 September 2024 approved the deployment of the Armed Forces to restore peace, security, and stability in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Vice President, Muhammad BS Jallow, while tabling the motion, told the assembly: “This deployment is intended to contribute to the ECOWAS Joint operation aimed at restoring, peace, security, and stability in Sierra Leone, following a recent attempted coup”.
He said that the move is made in acknowledgment of the security situation in Sierra Leone, and recognizing the importance of upholding democratic principles, stability, and regional peace.
He said: “The President urgently requests the approval of this assembly for the deployment of Gambian troops to Sierra Leone pursuant to section 189 (4) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia”.
He reported that the recent events have revealed a security situation in Sierra Leone, culminating in the unconstitutional attempt to seize power by the military, the Gambia as an active member of the ECOWAS holds a deep commitment to promoting regional peace, stability, and the protection of democratic values.
“The ECOWAS Joint operation developed in response to the current situation in Sierra Leone, seeks to enhance peace and security and ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the country. This operation intervention requires the collective efforts of ECOWAS Member states to provide military support,” said the Vice President.
He said by developing the country’s gallant troops, trained in peacekeeping operations and equipped with skills to restore order and protect the democratic aspirations of fellow West African brothers and sisters, “we can contribute to the restoration of stability and the protection of constitutional values in Sierra Leone”.
The Gambian military, he said, has demonstrated its professionalism and commitment towards regional peacekeeping missions, as evidenced by its successful participation in previous ECOWAS and UN operations.
Deliberating on the matter, some of the lawmakers said that considering the government trusts the troops on peacekeeping missions, the government ought to reciprocate that trust by allowing them to take charge of national security, as opposed to being in the hands of foreign officers.
This, according to them, should also include the protection of the Presidency by the country’s armed forces and security personnel.
Other legislators hold the view that the decision is in the right direction, apt and timely, submitting that during the 2016 political impasse in the Gambia, other bodies such as ECOWAS came to the aid of the Gambia, with such military support.
As such, they endorse the deployment which reiterates Gambia’s commitment to ECOWAS Regional Peace aspirations.
Subsequently, the National Assembly approved the deployment of Gambian troops to Sierra Leone for peacekeeping in Freetown following the recent attempted coup, to restore peace, security and stability in Sierra Leone.
