By Makutu Manneh
Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, has urged soldiers to respect human rights and strengthen relations with civilians and other security services.
General Gomez made the remarks while addressing troops at Kafuta Military Camp as part of his ongoing tour of military installations across the country.
He reminded personnel that members of the armed forces have a responsibility to protect the rights of civilians, not violate them, noting that those rights are guaranteed under the Constitution.
General Gomez said soldiers should not expect their own rights to be respected while disregarding the rights of others. He added that the military’s core responsibilities include protecting civilians and their property, as well as safeguarding The Gambia’s territorial integrity.
“Civil-military relations should be maintained at 100 percent and taken to a higher level,” he said. “We wear the uniform because of civilians, and it is through taxes paid by civilians that the military is sustained. Therefore, they must be protected.”
General Gomez also stressed the importance of cooperation among the country’s security institutions. While the military may perform some policing-related functions, he said, soldiers cannot replace the work of the police, immigration officers, or other security agencies.
He urged the various services to complement one another and work collectively in the interest of national peace and security.
General Gomez said stronger cooperation between security personnel and civilians would help preserve stability, calling on members of the armed forces to remain committed to protecting both the country and its peace.
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