The top command of the Gambia Armed Forces have commenced a nationwide tour on Monday to assess the country’s major security installations.
The team of Gambian military leaders led by Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh will also meet the high command of the regional forces who are on a peace keeping mission in Gambia.
The ECOMIG has arrived in Gambia following the December presidential election to force its former ruler Yahya Jammeh from power after he refused to step down.
At a press conference on Monday at the Joint Officers Mess, CDS Kinteh told journalists that their tour will assess how far the joint patrols by Gambian military and ECOMIG have gone.
“We will also look at the country’s infrastructure and as well assess the country’s internal security,” said CDS Kinteh.
The military leaders will also hold a number of meetings with various communities. Kinteh said he expected their meetings with communities to strengthen the civilian-military relations in Gambia.
“Security is a collective responsibility of all the security service and the community,” he said.
“The Gambia Armed Forces stands to benefit a lot from the tour because it is part of our major activities where we connect with our personnel countrywide.
“It is an opportunity to accord our men and women in uniform to come face to face with the high command of the Gambia Armed Forces to put forward their concerns and challenges.
“But also we believe that the interactions accord us the opportunity to be able to learn from the subordinates because we also believe that each and every member of the GAF has something to share. It will also serve as one of our problem solving tools and as well diffuse tension and rumor mongering.
“Another vital element of the tour is to embark on a tree planting excise…We believe that if every Gambian can grow one tree every year we can curb deforestation.
“The key message I want to tell them is that we have to unite in our goal towards defending the interest of this country…I will also encourage the men and women of the military to remain as good sons and daughters of this great nation that is our responsibility.”
Comments are closed.