By Staff Writer
Sergeant Modou Saine, former personal assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, has made a series of serious allegations of corruption and abuse of office against his former superior.
In an extended interview with Kerr Fatou, Sgt. Saine described the breakdown of what he said was once a close professional and personal relationship with Lt. Gen. Cham. Having previously managed both official and personal assignments for the CDS, Saine said he ultimately chose to come forward as a whistleblower over what he characterizes as unethical and potentially unlawful conduct.
Central to his allegations is the claim that Lt. Gen. Cham arranged for his son, Muhammed Cham, to be included in a military training program in Morocco, despite not being formally enlisted in the Gambia Armed Forces.
According to Saine, the Kingdom of Morocco had offered the GAF three training opportunities: a Higher Defence Course, an Officer Cadet Course, and Medical Officer Student Training. He alleged that instead of awarding the Officer Cadet Course to a qualified serving soldier, the CDS allocated the opportunity to his son.
Saine further alleged that the CDS instructed the Director of Operations, Colonel Yorro N.A. Jallow, to prepare a backdated appointment letter to formalize the recruitment of Muhammed Cham into the military. The document, obtained by Kerr Fatou, lists his date of enlistment as October 2, 2023. However, a review of his birth certificate indicates he was born on February 21, 2007, suggesting he would have been 16 years old at the time—raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the recruitment.
Saine also disclosed that Muhammed Cham, along with two other candidates, departed for Morocco in August 2024 to commence his cadet training program. At that time, he was reportedly 17 years and eight months old. He is said to remain in Morocco pursuing the course, which Saine argues should have been awarded to a qualified member of the armed forces.
The allegations raise concerns about adherence to military recruitment standards, fairness in training opportunities, and the integrity of administrative processes within the GAF. At the time of reporting, the accused parties had not publicly responded to the claims.
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