By Makutu Manneh
The chief of defence staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Ousman Gomez, has warned soldiers against tribalism and ethnic divisions, describing such sentiments as a threat to military cohesion and professionalism.
General Gomez issued the warning while touring military installations across the country, where he has been addressing troops on discipline, unity, and professional conduct within the armed forces.
“There is a cancer that tries to eat away at armies, especially in Africa: tribalism,” General Gomez told soldiers. “I am ordering you directly: desist from tribalism or tribal sentiments.”
He said ethnic identities should have no bearing on how members of the armed forces view or treat one another.
“In this uniform, we do not see Mandinka, Fula, Wolof or Jola,” he said. “We see soldiers. We see Gambians. We see brothers and sisters in arms. Our only tribe is the Gambia Armed Forces.”
General Gomez warned that soldiers found promoting ethnic or regional divisions within military barracks would face disciplinary action, stressing that the effectiveness of the armed forces depends on the unity of its personnel.
His remarks come as The Gambia moves closer to the December presidential election, a period in which political leaders and civil society groups have increasingly raised concerns about rhetoric centered on ethnicity and identity.
General Gomez also cautioned soldiers about their use of social media, saying that the unauthorized disclosure of operational, administrative or other internal military information constituted a serious breach of discipline.
He reminded personnel that the Directorate of Press and Public Relations is the authorized channel for official Gambia Armed Forces communications.
Soldiers who disclose information about troop movements, military operations or internal affairs on social media could face severe disciplinary consequences, he warned.
General Gomez told the troops that loyalty to the institution should be demonstrated through discretion and respect for military protocols rather than through activity on social media.
“Loyalty to the institution is demonstrated through silence and discretion,” he said, “not by likes and shares.”
Throughout his remarks, General Gomez emphasized unity, discipline and professionalism as fundamental principles of military service, urging soldiers to place their responsibilities to the armed forces and the country above ethnic, regional or personal affiliations.
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