By Makutu Manneh
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, has urged Gambian soldiers to remain loyal to the nation and steer clear of politics during his recent visits to military formations, including the Senoba border post and Keneba military camp. Addressing troops in formation, Lt. Gen. Cham emphasized that soldiers must “be content and take what we have and appreciate it” and reminded them that their ultimate allegiance is to The Gambia. “Let us dedicate ourselves to our country,” he said.
The CDS was clear that soldiers have the right to vote for their preferred candidates during elections but must refrain from political involvement beyond that point. “When the results come out, they should respect the decision of the majority,” he said, underscoring that the Armed Forces’ role is to uphold the verdict of the Gambian people and execute their constitutional mandate. “The soldiers’ voice is their voters’ card,” he added.
Highlighting the apolitical nature of the military, Lt. Gen. Cham stated, “We do not belong to any political party, ethnic group, or religion. We are the melting pot of this nation called The Gambia, whose sons and daughters collectively own the country. We do not recruit based on tribe or region; we recruit Gambian citizens.” He stressed that the Gambian Armed Forces are the soldiers’ true party.
Lt. Gen. Cham also encouraged all Gambians to join the army, assuring that promotion to the highest ranks is based solely on ability and competence. He reiterated the Armed Forces’ commitment to remain apolitical, well-trained, and capable of fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities, which he described as their “holy Quran and Bible.” He urged soldiers to disobey any illegal orders, reinforcing that accountability is the true chain of command.
Addressing rumors circulating within military ranks, the CDS dismissed claims that the Gambian Armed Forces are sidelined or that the State House is controlled by the Senegalese-led ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMIG). He clarified that the State Guard battalion is commanded by a Gambian colonel and that 80 percent of its personnel are Gambian soldiers. “We meet weekly, and I have never seen foreign soldiers come near our meetings. How then can they control our sovereignty?” he questioned.
Lt. Gen. Cham concluded by explaining that ECOMIG’s presence is limited to addressing the current political impasse, as mandated by ECOWAS, and does not undermine Gambian sovereignty.
