By Makutu Manneh
Major General Ousman Gomez, the chief of defence staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, has warned military personnel against becoming involved in partisan politics as the country prepares for its presidential election.
General Gomez issued the warning on Monday as he began a tour of military installations, meeting troops at Delta Company, the Njongon Military Post, and the 2nd Infantry Battalion.
Addressing soldiers during the tour, General Gomez said the armed forces were intensifying training in internal security operations to ensure personnel were prepared to carry out their constitutional responsibilities before, during, and after the election.
But he drew a firm distinction between preparing the military to provide security and allowing soldiers to participate in political activities.
Military personnel, he said, must remain politically neutral and should not attend campaign rallies or other partisan gatherings unless they have been officially deployed there as part of their duties.
“You are servants of the state; therefore, anyone who crosses this line breaks his or her oath and will be held accountable,” General Gomez said. “You have the right to vote as a citizen based on your constitutional right. Our main assignment will be to support the police when and where the need arises.”
His remarks underscore the military’s expected supporting role in election security, with the police maintaining primary responsibility for domestic law enforcement.
General Gomez also reminded troops that their security responsibilities must be carried out with respect for human rights and the civilian population.
He urged soldiers to maintain good relations with communities and said the purpose of the armed forces was to protect citizens, not intimidate or oppress them. Military personnel, he added, should treat civilians with dignity and respect, whether they are on or off duty.
General Gomez described public trust as one of the armed forces’ most important assets and warned personnel against conduct that could damage the institution’s reputation.
He said the progress the military had made in building confidence with the public over the years should not be undermined by the actions of a small number of personnel, particularly as the country enters a politically sensitive election period.
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