Gambia Armed Forces

OBITUARY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Major General Ousman Gomez, Services Chiefs, General Officers, Officers, Soldiers and Ratings of the GAF regret to announce the passing of Staff Sergeant Ndong Faburama. This sad incident occurred today Saturday 30 May 2026 at his residence in Tallinding. Until his untimely demise, he was serving at 3 Infantry Battalion in Basse.

Burial will take place tomorrow Sunday 31 May 2026 at his residence in Tallinding, at 10:00am.

During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with his family. The entire GAF prays that Almighty Allah grants the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

Ameen.

THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF’S EID UL ADHA MESSAGE

During this sacred occasion of Eid Ul Adha, and as Muslims across The Gambia and the world commemorate the spirit of sacrifice, obedience, compassion, and devotion, I extend warm and heartfelt Eid greetings to our Muslim officers, soldiers, ratings, and the wider Muslim Ummah across our beloved nation.

Eid Ul Adha reminds us of the timeless virtues of faith, selflessness, humility, and unwavering commitment to duty and service to humanity. These noble values resonate profoundly with the ethos, discipline, and calling of the Armed Forces. In this regard, I pay special tribute to our personnel who, even during this blessed period, continue to serve with vigilance, professionalism, and patriotism, often away from their families and loved ones, in steadfast dedication to the peace, security, and stability of our dear motherland.

To the wider Gambian community, this holy celebration further reflects the enduring values of unity, peace, tolerance, and mutual respect that continue to define us as one people and one nation. Our diversity remains a source of national strength, while our shared commitment to harmony and coexistence continues to reinforce the resilience and stability of The Gambia.

On behalf of the General Officers, Officers, Women and Men of The Gambia Armed Forces, and our families, I wish you all a peaceful, blessed, and joyous Eid Ul Adha. May this sacred occasion bring renewed hope, good health, prosperity, and a strengthened sense of service and sacrifice towards our nation and humanity.

As we celebrate this blessed feast, I fervently pray for lasting peace in all conflict-affected areas around the world, comfort for families facing hardship, and strength and healing for those who are unwell.

May Allah (SWT) accept our sacrifices, prayers, and good deeds, and continue to bless and protect our great nation, The Gambia.
Eid Mubarak.

GAF PERSONNEL BREAKING BARRIERS IN SPORTSMANSHIP

Behind The Gambia’s historic bronze medal finish at the recent WAFU-A U-20 Women’s Tournament in Guinea-Bissau were dedicated personnel from the Gambia Armed Forces Sports Company, who played key roles as technical staff, match officials, and players on national duty

Captain Abie Ceesay was among the referees selected for the tournament and earned the honour of officiating the final match after impressive performances throughout the competition

The Gambia U-20 team secured third place under the leadership of head coach Joseph Jabang and assistant coach Jabou Joof, both members of Gambia Armed Forces (GAF).

GAF player Tenneng Marenah made her first international appearance memorable by scoring her first international goal after starting in The Gambia’s final match and netting the team’s second goal that helped secure the historic bronze medal

Olimatou Badjie was also part of the technical team that contributed to the team’s success in Bissau

GAF Sports Officer Major Aliue Sanyang congratulated the personnel for representing the country with pride and returning home as worthy ambassadors of the Gambia Armed Forces

Chairman of the Gambia Armed Forces Sports Board, Colonel Musa Kah, thanked the GAF High Command for granting permission to the players and technical staff to represent the country on the international stage. He further encouraged the participants to maintain the high standards and continue making the country proud whenever they are on national duty.

OVER 100 GAF PERSONNEL COMPLETE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN INTERNAL SECURITY OPERATIONS

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) on Friday 22 May 2026 graduated 149 personnel after the successful completion of a rigorous two-week Internal Security Operations (ISO) training programme at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School in Fajara, reinforcing the military’s preparedness to respond to emerging domestic security challenges.

The specialised course, designed to sharpen operational effectiveness in internal security deployments, focused on Public Order Management anagement, crowd control tactics, civilian protection, and coordinated response operations. Military officials said the training forms part of broader efforts to enhance force readiness and strengthen national stability.

The graduating personnel were drawn from the Defence Headquarters Camp, Gambia National Army, Gambia Navy and the Republican National Guard, highlighting an integrated approach to joint military operations and rapid response capability.

The ceremony was dotted with the presentation of certificates to participants and instructors and a group photo marking the successful completion of the second batch of ISO training aimed at enhancing the GAF’s internal security and operational readiness capabilities.

The event was presided over by the Commander Republican National Guard, Brigadier General Yaya Drammeh.

WELFARE FIRST: GAF AGRIC TASK FORCE OFFERS AFFORDABLE TOBASKI RAMS TO OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

As Muslims in The Gambia prepare for the annual feast of Eid Ul Adha, popularly known as Tobaski, many families are making arrangements to purchase rams for the sacred sacrifice in keeping with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Demonstrating its continued commitment to the welfare of its personnel, the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Agric Task Force has commenced the sale of Tobaski rams to officers and soldiers at affordable and reasonable prices.

The sales officially began on Monday, 18 May 2026, at the GAF Baljulinding Farm, where personnel turned out to secure quality rams ahead of the event.

The initiative has been widely welcomed and described by many as timely, thoughtful, and highly commendable. Officers and soldiers expressed appreciation to the GAF High Command for what they described as a meaningful welfare intervention aimed at easing the financial burden often associated with Tobaski preparations.

PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT

Acting on the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham, the Directorate of Agric Task Force has commenced the distribution of homegrown rice to Battalions, Units, and Formations across the country.

This initiative fulfills a promise made by the CDS to troops during his 2025 tour of military installations nationwide.

It could be recalled that during the tour, Lieutenant General Cham announced that GAF-produced rice, cultivated through the efforts of the GAF Agric Task Force, would be distributed to Battalions, Units, and Formations as part of efforts to enhance troop welfare and promote self-sufficiency within the Armed Forces.

GAF INTELLIGENCE UNIT BOOSTS WITH OPERATIONAL MOTOR BIKES

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Intelligence Unit has strengthened its operational capacity with the receipt of operational motor bikes donated by the State Intelligence Service (SIS). The items were handed to GAF during a handover ceremony held on Friday, 15 May 2026 at the SIS Headquarters in Banjul.

The donation is expected to enhance the unit’s mobility, rapid response, and field intelligence operations.

The gesture highlights continued collaboration between the SIS and GAF in supporting national security and intelligence operations across The Gambia.

OUTGOING MOROCCAN DA BIDS FAREWELL TO THE CDS GAF

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham, on Friday, 15 May 2026, received Colonel Hassan Mouhssine, the Moroccan Defence Attaché (DA), in audience at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul.

Colonel Mouhssine is the outgoing Moroccan DA accredited to The Gambia. His visit was a farewell call following the completion of his tenure. The CDS expressed appreciation and profound gratitude for the Colonel’s unwavering commitment and exceptional efforts in deepening the excellent military relations and strengthening the enduring bond of cooperation and friendship between the Armed Forces of the Republic of The Gambia and the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Morocco.

SAF CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE CDS GAF

The Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham, on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, received in audience his counterpart from the sister Republic of Senegal, Admiral Omar Wade, Chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces (SAF), at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul.

Upon arrival, Admiral Wade and his delegation were warmly received by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, Major General Ousman Gomez.

Following a brief private meeting between the two military chiefs, a high-level bilateral meeting was convened, bringing together members of the GAF High Command and the SAF delegation. Discussions centered on strengthening military cooperation, enhancing regional security collaboration, and reinforcing the longstanding ties between The Gambia and Senegal.

Both military leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence relations and fostering closer collaboration between the two armed forces.

GAF PERSONNEL SHINES AT THE UTG AND UEG JOINT CONVOCATION

Gambia Navy Able Seaman Jatta Malang was recognized as the Outstanding Student of the Sixth Cohort of Community Policing and Security Studies during the joint convocation ceremony of University of The Gambia (UTG) and University of Education Gambia (UEG), held on Saturday, 8 May 2026, at the School of Education Campus in Brikama.

Seven personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces were among the graduates celebrated at the landmark event, which marked a significant milestone in Gambian higher education as UTG and UEG jointly conferred diplomas and degrees on the 2025 graduating cohort.

The ceremony honoured the fifth and sixth cohort of Community and Security Studies graduates, including six personnel from the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) specialising in Community Policing and one in Public Health. Graduates from other disciplines such as Agriculture, Catering and Hospitality Management were also celebrated.

The event brought together senior university officials, government representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, dignitaries from the security sector, and families of the graduands.

In his address, Dr. Badou Senghore, Chairman of UEG, lauded the students as the foundation upon which the university’s future rests. He encouraged graduates to rely on their knowledge and critical thinking as they ventured into the wider world.

Professor Robinson Herbert, Vice Chancellor of UTG, described the joint convocation as a defining moment and revealed that the School of Education will be fully integrated into UTG by September 2026.

Delivering the keynote address, the honourable Minister of Higher Education, Professor Pierre Gomez, announced plans for construction of a new school within UEG aimed at training teachers and lecturers across all levels of education. A project he described as a top priority under President Adama Barrow’s development agenda.

The joint convocation stands as a rare symbol of inter-institutional unity in Gambian higher education sector. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to outstanding students from across the various schools, capping a memorable day of achievement and inspiration.