Soldiers and Drugs

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Daily Observer

18 May 2011

editorial

Barely a few days after President Jammeh reiterated his warning that security personnel must not associate themselcves with drugs, a soldier who was caught with canabis sativa has been dismissed from The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and will in due course face the full force of the law. The development indeed shows that the armed forces is stepping up efforts to materialising the vision of their commander-in-chief, by making sure that the institution is rid of those unscruplous elements within its ranks who hide behind the tinted visor of the uniform to engage in dubious acts particularly illicit drug trafficking. We are optimistic that such will be the trend in the armed forces so that the professional and modernised army that the president is building becomes a reality.

We need not remind anyone that the president is exhausting all efforts to ensure that the country does not become a narcotics state; this explains why he was personally involved with the extra equipping of the NDEA so that operatves of the Agency can efficiently execute their duties. It is the responsibility of us the people, which the institution of the military is no exception, to complement the efforts of the leadership in this crusade. In fact those who are occupying public office should take the lead in this campaign and not be accomplices in the illicit business.

They should by all accounts realise that they owe an obligation to the people, and for that they must execute their duties without compromising the laws of the land just for the lucrative but dangerous trade. Much more, the involvement of soldiers in illicit drugs sharply contravenes our collective aspirations and would undoubtedly drag the reputation of the noble institution to the mud if those few disloyal elements in their ranks are not identified and brought to justice.

The top brass of the military should therefore continue to clamp down on the bad eggs in their midst, most especially those involved in illicit drug dealing and trafficking. They should always be mindful of the huge investment the Gambian leader has made on the armed forces to make it vibrant and professional. The institution should therefore not let that high regard the leadership has for it be tarnished by an insignificant minority that does not share our collective aspiration.

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