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196 GAF members ready for Darfur
At last 196 members of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), the fourth
Gambian contingent of military peacekeepers to the troubled region of
Darfur, Sudan were yesterday bade farewell at a ceremony held at the
Fajara Military Barracks.
The 196 Gambian gallant men and women military contingent
comprising 6 officers and 190 personnel of other ranks is the fourth
Gambian contingent to Sudan who will be joining and operating along
side other dedicated fellow peacekeepers from different parts of the
African continent, in support of the African Union’s peace initiative
and relief Gamcoy three.
Biding farewell to the officers, Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy,
Vice-President and Secretary of State for Women Affairs, who is also
the Chairperson of the Armed Forces Council, on behalf of President
Yahya Jammeh, the Commander of the Armed Forces expressed delight over
the outstanding performance in peace keeping missions which The Gambia
Armed Forces have come to be associated with over the years since
August 1990 when the first company of peace keepers was deployed in
war-torn Liberia. She said the performance of the company in Liberia
was quite outstanding and to date, GAF continues to perform the noble
task of providing officers and men to build a foundation for a lasting
peace and stability whenever they are needed.
“This formidable level of gallantry has indeed endeared the
GAF to the United Nations which I am proud of you all. This last moment
in your preparations will certainly prove to be the most exciting
moments in your lives. The excitement will however be tempered by the
fact that you are being deployed to go out and offer assistance to
people in desperate circumstances who have been deprived of their
freedom to do the things that are necessary for survival as human
beings.
Your participation in the AU’s peace keeping and humanitarian
assistance operations put you in a very special and honourable
position. Courageous services to ones nation is what every officer and
soldier look forward to and I have no doubt that you will go forth with
zeal and pride,” she said.
The Armed Force Council Chairperson then described the
humanitarian support operations, such as the AU’s mission in Darfur as
one among that the African continent has put forth in its bid to
promote peace and security without which, the continent is doomed to
fail in realizing much yearned social and economic well-being of its
people.
She then stated that the GAF contingent’s participation is in
fulfillment of her government’s obligation in the contribution of
troops in support of the AU’s peace support operations in Darfur,
Sudan.
Vice-President Njie-Saidy then challenged the officers that a
lot is expected of them as they operate under conditions that continue
to be undesirable. She also challenged them as professionals and
well-trained officers and soldiers to proof their worth and put their
acquired skills to the test in aid of people who are in distress. “ Be
confident and prove to the people you’re dealing with that The Gambia
Armed Forces is an element to be reckoned with. You are bound to
experience cultural shock as you will be operating alongside other
people of different languages and culture. But, however, you must not
despair” she advised.
Madam Njie Saidy then revealed The Gambia government’s
commitment to meeting its obligations to sub-regional treaties and AU’s
protocol for the maintenance of peace and security.
Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff in his remarks
reported that the Gambia Armed Forces has been successful in all the
peace keeping and peace support operations that they embarked on. He
said the officers (men and women) have excelled and decorated with
medals for their diligence and commitment to duties and high level of
professionalism.
“This is not a surprise to Gambians because we all know the
secret behind the success of the GAF. It is all because of President
Jammeh, Commander of the GAF. President Jammeh recognises the crucial
role that Armed Forces the world over play in ensuring peace and
stability in every country. Therefore, being an action-oriented leader,
President Jammeh has incorporated into The Gambia’s Defence Policy, the
vision of establishing a highly motivated, well-trained and
professional Armed Forces fully equipped to fulfil its national and
international obligations” he said.
To the troops of Gamcoy 4 for Sudan, CDS Tamba expressed no
doubt on their capabilities and advised them ton sustained the good
record of the Gambia Armed Forces and also to keep the Gambian flag
higher. “Your duty is to do everything possible within your limits to
restore, keep and support the peace in Darfur. Work within the mandate
of the AU mission, maintain the rule of law and respect the rights of
the Sudanese people and other nationals you work with. Behave
professionally and avoid doing anything that will stain the reputation
of The Gambia. Consider the people of Sudan as your brothers and
respect their religion, traditions and culture. Treat them fairly
without prejudice and endeavour to win the hearts and minds of the
people. From the same contingent from The Gambia, you must maintain a
positive and good rapport, cohesion and spirit-de-corp among
yourselves. Be each others brothers and sisters keeper throughout the
duration of the mission, be good ambassadors of The Gambia” he advised
troops.
Col Tamba then, on behalf of the officers men and women of
the GAF thanked President Jammeh and his government for all the
commitment and support given to the Armed Forces.
It could be recalled that the history of peace keeping for the
Gambia Armed Forces began in 1990 with the deployment of troops to
Liberia under ECOMOG, then troops to Guinea Bissau in 1999 and Liberia
for the second time in 2003 under the auspices of the United Nations,
and in December 2005, the first Gambian peace keepers contingent was
deployed to Darfur in Sudan under the AU.
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