Gambia Armed Forces

16/10/2026

“CLEANLINESS IS GODLINESS”

Personnel of the Defence and Joint Service Headquarters, acting on the directive of the Chief Defence Staff Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, on Friday, 16 October 2026, embarked on a general cleansing exercise along the Marina Parade corridor as part of efforts to promote environmental cleanliness, public hygiene, and civic responsibility.

The exercise underscores the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment and reflects the commitment of the personnel to supporting community well-being and environmental sanitation.

16/10/2026

THE ARMED FORCES OF THE GAMBIA AND GUINEA BISSAU SIGN A JOINT COMMUNIQUE TO ENHANCE REGIONAL SECURITY

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau Armed on Thursday 15 October 2026, signed a Joint Communique aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing regional security, and promoting lasting collaboration between the two military institutions. The ceremony was held at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul marking the end of the 2- days working and friendly visit by General of the Army Tomas Djassi, Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau who is also the President of Transitional Council of Bissau.

The signing ceremony brought together the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) GAF, Lieutenant General Osman Gomez and General Djassi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luís Domingos Camará de Barros and military technical delegations from both countries.

Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez described the signing of the Communique as an important milestone in strengthening military relations between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. He highlighted the importance of information sharing, military training, education, and cooperation in addressing common security challenges.

The CDS further highlighted the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration between the two armed forces to promote peace, stability, and security across the region. He reaffirmed his Armed Forces’ commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the agreements outlined in the Communique.

For his part, General of the Army Tomas Djassi, described the signing as an honour and a significant achievement in the continued development of defence cooperation between the two countries.

General Djassi expressed appreciation to the technical delegations from both countries for the excellent work which culminated in the drafting of the Joint Communique. He reiterated the importance of regional coordination, military solidarity, operational exchanges, and professional military development in strengthening the capabilities of both armed forces and nations.

He extended his appreciation to the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow and the Commander-in- Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, and the Gambian people for their continued spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. He reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to implementing the agreements reached and promoting greater professionalism within the two military institutions.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luis Barros, for his part harped on the importance of the Joint Communique as a framework for practical cooperation between the two armed forces. He noted that the agreement would help strengthen the two Armed Forces collective resolve to safeguard their respective nations and respond effectively to shared security concerns.

The signing of the Communique marks a significant step towards deepening defence and security cooperation between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The effective implementation of the Communique is expected to reinforce mutual trust, enhance military professionalism, and consolidate the longstanding and cordial friendship and cooperation between the Gambia Armed Forces and the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces.

14/10/2026

GENERAL GOMEZ REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION AS HE HOSTS THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF OF GUINEA BISSAU

The Chief Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, has reaffirmed GAF’s commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and regional security. Lieutenant General Gomez made this remark on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 during a meeting with General of the Army Tomas Djassi, Chief of General Staff and President of the Transitional Council of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul.

Lieutenant General Gomez described General Tomas Djassi’s visit to The Gambia as a great honour and expressed delight in welcoming his counterpart. He emphasised that the engagement provided an important opportunity to deepen military relations, strengthen mutual understanding and advance shared security priorities between the two countries.

The CDS went further to highlight the importance of cooperation, responsible military leadership and a shared determination to address regional security challenges. He stressed that stronger collaboration between the two armed forces would contribute to promoting peace, stability and collective security across West Africa and beyond.
Lieutenant General Gomez further underscored the importance of expanding professional military cooperation through personnel exchanges, joint training opportunities and the sharing of operational knowledge and expertise. He noted that these initiatives could strengthen military capabilities, improve training standards and enhance the professional development of personnel in both countries.

The GAF supremo also emphasised the value of collaboration in defence policy, operational security and military diplomacy, stressing that sustained bilateral engagement would promote mutual support, institutional development and a stronger foundation for long-term military cooperation.
The CDS reaffirmed GAF's commitment to working closely with the Armed Forces of Guinea Bissau to advance shared defence objectives and strengthen regional security partnerships.

In his remarks, General of the Army Tomas Djassi, described the relationship between the two countries as one rooted in friendship, brotherhood and shared political and security interests. He emphasised that strengthening these ties was essential to promoting peace and stability within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

General Djassi recalled that a defence cooperation agreement was signed between the two countries in February 2025, describing it as an important foundation for advancing practical military collaboration. He noted that the geographical realities and security challenges facing the region required coordinated responses, stronger partnerships and sustained cooperation between neighbouring states.

He highlighted the importance of professional military development, particularly in strengthening the English language skills of Guinea Bissau’s commissioned and non-commissioned officers. He explained that improved language proficiency would support communication, professional advancement and more effective participation in joint military activities.
General Djassi also expressed interest in expanding training opportunities for Guinea Bissau personnel, including professional courses and military training programmes at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School in Fajara. He noted that such cooperation could help build capacity, improve operational readiness and strengthen the professional standards of personnel in both armed forces.

The Guinea Bissau Armed Forces Chief further identified potential areas of cooperation, including specialized training, border security, tactical and the exchange of technical expertise. He emphasised the importance of developing a practical action plan to guide implementation, review progress and ensure that agreed defence initiatives deliver meaningful results.

General Djassi expressed his sincere gratitude to the Gambia Armed Forces for the warm welcome and consideration extended to his delegation. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening military ties and advancing mutually beneficial initiatives that would support the development of both armed forces.

The visit underscores the shared commitment of The Gambia and Guinea Bissau to strengthening bilateral defence relations through dialogue, professional military training, cooperation and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.

14/10/2026

PICTORIAL STORY: A delegation of 48 students from Senior Staff Course 48 at the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College on Tuesday 13 October 2026 paid a courtesy visit to the CDS GAF at Defence Headquarters in Banjul. The delegation was received by the Deputy CDS GAF, Major General Sait Njie.

11/10/2026

GAFTS DECORATES ITS PROMOTED PERSONNEL IN GRAND STYLE

Following the approval by His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Adama Barrow, for the promotion of 1,400 Other Ranks of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), the Gambia Armed Forces Training School (GAFTS) held a decoration ceremony on Thursday, 8 October 2026, for 38 of its personnel who were among those elevated to new ranks.

It is often said that promotion, especially in the military, is not just about wearing a new rank but also about the recognition of discipline, sacrifice, and the trust placed in the promotee. It signifies the ability to shoulder greater responsibilities, lead with honour, and serve with courage and integrity.

The Commandant of GAFTS, Major Ebrima Ceesay, described the event as a significant occasion in the professional lives of the newly promoted non-commissioned officers (NCOs). He made these remarks while congratulating the promotees on their well-deserved promotions.

“Your promotion is a recognition of your hard work, discipline, dedication to duty, and leadership potential. You have earned this achievement through your performance and conduct, and you should be proud of this achievement,” he noted.

Major Ceesay urged the promotees to uphold the values and traditions of military service, emphasising that discipline, loyalty, integrity, respect, courage, and selfless service must remain at the centre of their professional lives.

“Your soldiers, peers, commanders, and the GAF will look up to you for leadership, guidance, and example,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address as the Chief Guest of Honour and representing the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Samba Baldeh, the Director of Training and Doctrine at Defence Headquarters, congratulated the soldiers, stating that the day marked a significant milestone in their careers. He noted that the promotions reflected their dedication, discipline, professionalism, and commitment to service.

He described the military profession as a noble one, noting that it is one of the most challenging professions a person can undertake, yet one of the most rewarding.

Lieutenant Colonel Baldeh stressed that promotions in the GAF are based on merit and form part of a long-standing tradition enshrined in the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) for both officers and soldiers. He stated that their elevation represented greater responsibility and increased expectations regarding their ability to lead and serve, quoting the popular adage, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

He urged the promotees to continue developing themselves professionally, noting that military knowledge is never complete.

“Make every opportunity to learn from your commanders, peers, and even subordinates. Needless to remind you that, as personnel of a training institution like GAFTS, you must always keep yourselves physically fit, mentally alert, and professionally prepared for the challenges that may come your way,” he stated.

Lieutenant Colonel Baldeh thanked the families and loved ones of the promoted soldiers for their support, prayers, and patience throughout their careers.

He concluded by commending the Commandant and instructors of GAFTS for the important role they continue to play in training and developing competent and disciplined personnel of the GAF.

The ceremony was marked by the military tradition of bathing the newly promoted soldiers with their new ranks, a gesture symbolising goodwill and wishing them success as they assume their new ranks and responsibilities.

30/09/2026

FARAFENNI MILITARY CAMP CONCLUDES MONTH-LONG TRAINING IN COUNTER-INSURGENCY AND INTERNAL SECURITY OPERATIONS

The 2 Infantry Battalion of the Gambia National Army (GNA) located in Farafenni on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, concluded a four-week Counter-Insurgency and Internal Security Operations Course for personnel of the Unit. The Course is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and operational readiness of personnel of the Battalion. The ceremony was held at the Battalion Headquarters in Farafenni and was presided over by the Commanding Officer (CO), Lieutenant Colonel Ebrima I Krubally.

The course, conducted in accordance with the Directives of the Commander GNA Training Cycle, focused on equipping personnel with the basic knowledge and practical skills required to understand and respond effectively to insurgency situations, internal security challenges and other emerging threats to national peace and stability.

In delivering the Course Highlights, the Training Officer, Second Lieutenant Muhammed Jallow, explained that the training covered both theoretical and practical aspects of counter-insurgency and internal security operations. He noted that the training was delivered through classroom lessons, practical activities and field-based exercises, with emphasis placed on professionalism, discipline and respect for the rule of law in the conduct of security operations.

He noted that participants also took part in physical training activities, including the Basic Fitness Test (BFT), Combat Fitness Test (CFT) and Stamina Assessment Test (SAT), which tested the physical limits of the soldiers.

In delivering his remarks, the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrima I Krubally, commended the course participants and instructors for their dedication and commitment throughout the four-week training. He observed that significant improvement could be seen among the participants. He further emphasized the importance of continuous learning and physical fitness in the military, noting that knowledge and physical preparedness are essential qualities for personnel to effectively perform their duties and meet operational demands. The Senior Officer encouraged the graduating personnel to remain obedient, disciplined and cooperative with the chain of command.

He concluded by congratulating the instructors and young officers who coordinated the training for their efforts in producing what he described as well-trained and prepared soldiers.

The training exposed participants to key areas including counter-insurgency principles, internal security operations, intelligence gathering, leadership, communication and inter-service cooperation with other security agencies.

The ceremony was also marked by the presentation of certificates to the course participants.

21/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE: COMMENCEMENT OF GENERAL COURT MARTIAL FOR THE TRIAL OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL SANNA MANJANG

BANJUL— 21 September 2026 — Defence Headquarters
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to inform the general public that a General Court Martial (GCM) has been convened to try Lieutenant Colonel Sanna Manjang, a former serving member of the GAF. The proceedings of the GCM commence today, Monday 21 September 2026 at the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess, Guards Battalions, Fajara Barracks at 1000 hours.

The senior officer faces charges under service law, Section 34 of the Gambia Armed Forces Act 1985, namely Desertion contrary to section 53 (1) (a) of the Gambia Armed Forces Act Cap 19:01 Vol. IV Laws of The Gambia 2009. The particulars of offence states, among other things that, Lieutenant Colonel Sana Manjang, “on or about 21st January 2017, absented yourself from your duty post at the State Guards Battalion in Banjul, and continued to absent yourself for a continuous period of nine years with the intention of deserting and thereby committed an offence”.

It may be recalled that the senior officer, who was a member of the ‘Junglers’ and implicated in serious human rights violations, was arrested on 29 November 2025 in the Casamance Region of southern Senegal.

The GCM is presided over by a panel of senior military officers of GAF led by Colonel Ousman Bah as President, assisted by Honourable Justice Omar Cham as the Judge Advocate. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), AM Yusuph or his representatives assisted by a team of GAF lawyers will serve as the Prosecutors. The accused has been provided with a team of Defending Officers although he may inform the Officer-Under-Instruction of the defending officer or counsel of his choice.

The proceedings of the GCM are open; therefore the media and the general public are allowed to attend as appropriate.

The conduct of the Court Martial underscores the commitment of the Armed Forces to justice, accountability, protection of fundamental rights and respect for the rule of law.

20/09/2026

20/09/2026

CDS GAF CONCLUDES NATIONWIDE TOUR WITH A DURBAR AT THE JOINT SERVICES HEADQUARTERS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, held a Durbar with personnel of the Defence and Joint Services Headquarters at the Joint Services Headquarters in Banjul. The meeting marked the conclusion of the CDS’s 2026 nationwide tour of military installations.

During the meeting, CDS Gomez reiterated the key messages he had shared with troops across the country. The discussions centered on discipline, professionalism, good conduct, and the need to uphold a cordial and mutually respectful civil-military relationship.

He urged soldiers to maintain good relations with other security services, noting that there is no competition between the Gambia Armed Forces and other security institutions. Rather, he emphasized that each institution has a complementary role to play in achieving the shared objective of maintaining peace, stability, and security throughout the country.

The CDS also warned soldiers against the misuse of social media and the unauthorized distribution or lending of GAF standard-issue uniforms to individuals who are not authorized to wear them. He stressed that violations of the military code of conduct carry consequences, emphasizing that it would be “never business as usual” for personnel found wanting. He further noted that stricter measures would be applied where necessary.

General Gomez reaffirmed the GAF’s zero-tolerance stance on tribalism, drug use, and any other conduct prejudicial to lawful military service. He also urged soldiers to refrain from partisan political activities.

The CDS acknowledged that soldiers, as citizens, have a constitutionally guaranteed right to vote. However, he emphasized the importance of remaining apolitical, noting that the Gambia Armed Forces exists to serve The Gambia and the Gambian people.