President Decries Increased Involvement of Security Personnel in Drugs

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Hatab Fadera

13 May 2011

The president of the Republic and commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces has raised eyebrows on what he described as the “increased” involment of the uniformed services personnel in illicit drugs peddling. He warned that the uniform is not a license for anyone to involve in the menace, and vowed to prosecute anyone caught even with ‘one gram’.

His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking Thursday afternoon at the July 22nd Square in Banjul, while presiding over the passing out ceremony of 540 new recruits who make up Intake 31 of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF). The passing out ceremony of this batch, which is the second largest intake of GAF, was characterised by military displays, demonstrations and parade amongst others. It also saw the awarding and presentations of prizes to the best graduating recruits.

President Jammeh in his traditional words of wisdom told the service men and women to distance themselves from the menace of drug trafficking; a menace he described as synonymous with violence, corruption and so on. He said: “We have seen an increased number of people in uniform and are not only members of the armed forces but the uniformed services dealing in drugs. If you think that you are wearing a uniform and you will not be searched, you are making a great mistake,” he warned.

He added: “You have chosen a very difficult profession because whereas in other institutions, sometimes we keep a blind eye to certain indiscretions, especially of a disciplinary nature, in the GAF, discipline will be enforced to the letter. If you think that the soldier is outlaw and that is why you joined the armed forces, you are making a great mistake.”

The Gambian leader stressed that whereas civilians may only get fines for drug trafficking, in the armed forces, the minimum a person will get is “a prison term because we don’t compromise on drug dealing”. He warned that there is no way they will tolerate men and women of the armed forces trafficking in drugs because as he puts it, “that is the biggest sign of gross indiscipline in any society”. “Drugs are synonymous with violence, corruption. So do we want violent armed forces? No! Do we want corrupt armed forces? No! Do we want a corrupt Gambia? No! And it will never happen under my command. Anybody convicted of drug dealing let nobody appeal to me,” he stated, while reiterating that there will be no mercy for drug dealing be it in GAF or anywhere.

“No mercy” for three menaces

President Jammeh also seized the opportunity to further warn that he will never pardon or have mercy on anybody convicted of murder, rape or drug dealing. He then went on to eulogize GAF for the fact that so far throughout its years of peacekeeping since 1990 there has never been an instance when Gambian soldiers were reported to have raped any woman. He stressed the need for that legacy and status quo to continue given the fact that one’s person’s involvement can embarrass the entire country. The Gambian leader told the passing out soldiers that they have chosen a noble profession; a profession he said only the Almighty Allah can reward. He also told them that no government in any part of the world would be able to pay a soldier for his or her work considering the fact that they are the only category of the society of any nation that are ready to put their lives on the line to enable the rest of the people sleep in peace.

The commander-in-chief told the soldiers that they have also chosen to wear this uniform, which he said is a noble uniform that inspires confidence and trust. He however warned that the uniform is not one for intimidation, saying: “You are not the masters of the people but the servant of the people. Without people, there wouldn’t be an armed force so you have to remember that your existence is thanks to the existence of the people. As I said you are not masters of the people but servant. What do I mean, you must be disciplined at all times; you are always to lend a helping hand to any citizen that requires your assistance. That is what a good soldier is all about.”

Agriculture to intensify in GAF

The Gambian leader also seized the opportunity to underscore that agricultural activities in GAF will be intensified especially with the donation of the 14 new tractors to ensure that soldiers eat what they grow. While commending personnel of GAF for their active involvement in agriculture, the president observed that for the past three years every unit has established its own farm. He said this is what is expected of them, stressing that he doesn’t want to see the Ministry of Defence signing contracts with suppliers of vegetables and others. “I am going to ban the Ministry of Defence from buying vegetables from outside; produce your own vegetables; eat what you grow and grow what you eat because you have enough land in the camps to be able to do agriculture,” the president advised.

Continual training

The commander-in-chief also urged the newly graduated soldiers not to relent in nurturing continual physical training, observing that most soldiers make the mistake of not pursuing that.

Dishonesty

President Jammeh also denounced the negative vices of dishonesty; something he stressed will not be tolerated in the armed forces. He said: “A soldier who is dishonest is as good as a lunatic in the street and is even more dangerous than the lunatic because you are armed.” He also declared that tribalism will not be tolerated in the armed forces, and enjoined the soldiers to be aware that they are one family and that justifies why they are wearing the same uniform.

Accommodation

Commenting on accommodation of military personnel, the Gambian leader said: “Regimentation is going to be enforced to the letter and we cannot do so when most of you are staying in towns. Our main objective is to make sure that all the soldiers stay in the camps so that they will get used to the regimentation of military life.”

Develop self-capacity

President Jammeh also emphasised on the need for soldiers to build and strengthen their individual capacities in the area of education, urging them not to relax in this regard. “Do not say now I have joined the armed forces and so it is the end of my education, No! In fact that is the beginning. You can read on your own; study on your own and if you have the requisite qualifications, you can go to any university in the world based on your qualifications. So make hay while the sun is shining,” he concluded.

Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Defence, Harry Sambou harped on the commitment of President Jammeh towards GAF, citing the conducive atmosphere created by the commander-in-chief, as well as his concern for the welfare of the armed and security services leading to the massive renovations and rehabilitations in military installations in the country. PS Sambou also emphasised that drug peddling or use, as well as indiscipline will not be accepted in any of its forms in the armed forces. He further warned the new recruits not to use their uniform to harass or intimidate the civilian population.

For his part, the chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of GAF, Lt. Gen Masanneh Kinteh said the staggering number of the recruits represents a milestone in their quest to address the human resources gap of the armed forces. He explained that their increased commitment both at the home front and the international arena has created a capability gap that needs to be filled in a timely manner to enable the armed forces deliver its duties and responsibilities. CDS Kinteh underscored that regular and systematic recruitment of able-bodied Gambians into the armed forces is inline with their quest to build a force commensurate to its current and anticipated future assignments.

“We can all attest to the fact that GAF and the country as a whole is undergoing tremendous development, revival and growth in all aspects. This growth is not only in size but also in quality, professionalism, service delivery and outreach. All these developments we are witnessing in the GAF are propelled by the vision of His Excellency the president and commander-in-chief to have a transformed armed forces that is highly professional and motivated as well as His Excellency’s directives to bring security to the doorstep of every person resident in The Gambia,” he stated.

CDS Kinteh also hinted that the Intake 31 is the first of its kind to be selected through the armed forces new recruitment process that allows the local authorities and community leaders to participate in the selection of soldiers for GAF. Through this process, he added, village heads, district chiefs and regional governors are all required to certify to the citizenship and good character of each and every aspiring recruit before they are selected. Kinteh concluded by warning that no longer can the armed forces be used as a resort by drug users, pushers and dealers, fraudsters and other criminals.

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