**Chief of Defence Staff Calls for Enhanced Inter-Agency Cooperation in The Gambia**
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Major General Ousman Gomez, has called for stronger collaboration between military forces, sister security agencies, and civilian communities. The appeal was made during his inaugural nationwide tour of military installations, with recent engagements held in Ngoongon, Lower Niumi, and Kerewan in the North Bank Region (NBR).
Addressing troops, regional service chiefs, and local authorities, Major General Gomez emphasized that the GAF cannot operate in isolation. He stated that while each security service maintains distinct mandates, mutual support is essential for national security.
“A single service cannot do it alone,” Major General Gomez said. “I cannot do the work of the police. I can only support the police, likewise my troops.”
Regarding the upcoming elections, the CDS clarified that the GAF’s role would be strictly supportive. He noted that the military would only intervene upon request to assist other agencies, such as by providing personnel for guard posts if the lead agencies face resource constraints.
Major General Gomez also instructed troops to maintain positive relations with civilian populations and to assist civil authorities when requested, framing such cooperation as a core component of the military’s mandate.
Local officials and regional service chiefs expressed support for the CDS’s position, highlighting the existing cooperation in the North Bank Region. Deputy Governor Dembo Samateh praised the current level of inter-agency loyalty, while Police Commissioner Mustapha Sowe described the relationship between regional forces as “exceptional.”
Commissioner Sowe noted that regional agencies currently share resources, including logistics and manpower, to address operational gaps. He further assured the CDS that regional security forces are prepared to provide security for the upcoming elections.
Major General Gomez commended the North Bank Region’s collaborative model and urged that it be replicated across the country. He reiterated that the GAF must remain apolitical and united, emphasizing that the primary objective for all security services is the stability of The Gambia.
The engagements in the North Bank Region were attended by representatives from the Gambia Police Force, Gambia Immigration Department, Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gambia Revenue Authority, and the State Intelligence Service, alongside senior GAF leadership.
Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: Foroyaa
