More Soldiers Return From Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Momodou Jawo

18 May 2011

The second batch of Gamcoy 11 Monday morning returned from the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur after serving a nine-month peacekeeping mission.

The batch, which comprised of 98 personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) were received on arrival at the Banjul International Airport by top officials of GAF led by the deputy chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ousman Badjie.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Deputy CDS Badjie commended the officers for the high sense of discipline and commitment manifested during their stay in Sudan. He stated that members of the contingent have executed their duties professionally, and above all conducted themselves in a very disciplined manner. He used the opportunity to call on security personnel to desist from drug trafficking and its related issues. The deputy CDS stressed that security officers should be law abiding, not violators, so that peace and security will not be comprised. He finally thanked President Jammeh who is also the commander-in-chief of GAF for his continuous support to the security apparatus in the country.

For his part, Lt Col Ensa Tamba, the contingent commander, thanked the commander-in-chief [President Jammeh] and CDS Kinteh for their commitment in ensuring that they returned back peacefully. He revealed that in Darfur, the Gambian contingents are highly respected and are charged with the mission headquarters, the security premises, safety of the UN and other areas assigned to them.

Lt. Suwaibou Jammeh, the platoon commander gave the vote of thanks and praised Allah for what he described as an excellent trip for The Gambian contingent as everyone returned home safely. He then urged the security officers to be loyal to their commander-in-chief and the nation in general.

Lt Omar Bojang, the public relations officer of GAF thanked the contingent for the high moral discipline they demonstrated during their mission in Darfur. He also called on the security personnel to distance themselves from illicit drugs and ensure that peace and stability prevail in the country.

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