By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a strong rebuttal to recent comments made by Essa Mbaye Faal, leader of the opposition APP-SOBEYA party, accusing him of attempting to politicize the military for political advantage. In a statement released over the weekend, GAF described Faal’s remarks—along with those of retired military officer Samsudeen Sarr—as “misleading, irresponsible, and potentially inflammatory.”
During a recent appearance on West Coast Radio, Essa Faal accused President Adama Barrow of mistrusting the GAF and relying on foreign troops to secure his presidency out of fear of a potential coup. Faal claimed that nearly a decade into Barrow’s presidency, the government still views the national army as infiltrated by loyalists of former President Yahya Jammeh—a perception he believes continues to influence national security policy.
Responding to these remarks, GAF expressed concern over what it termed a “growing trend of unfounded and irresponsible commentary” about its operations and role within The Gambia’s democratic framework.
“The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has noted with serious concern a growing trend of unfounded and irresponsible commentary in the media and public discourse regarding its operations, conduct, and role within the democratic framework of the Republic of The Gambia. Of particular concern are recent publications and utterances by Mr. Samsudeen Sarr, a former Commander of the Gambia National Army, and Mr. Essa Mbaye Faal, a political figure and aspiring presidential candidate, which GAF deems not only misleading but also potentially incendiary,” GAF said in response to Essa Faal and Samsudeen Sarr.
GAF criticized Mr. Sarr for referencing an isolated 2023 incident involving theft by members of the Senegalese Gendarmerie—part of the President’s ECOMIG security detail—and for questioning the presence of Gambian infantry soldiers at critical security points such as Denton Bridge. According to GAF, such narratives distort the military’s apolitical stance and undermine its professionalism.
“The retired senior officer went further to raise issues around the presence of GAF’s infantry soldiers at strategic security installations such as the Denton Bridge in Banjul. These narratives are framed in a manner that seeks to misrepresent the professionalism, role, and apolitical nature of the Armed Forces,” GAF said.
Regarding Faal’s claim that the GAF is being sidelined by the government, the Armed Forces stressed that the allegations lack context and evidence.
“These claims, made without context or evidence, serve only to politicise the Armed Forces and/or drag it into a political discourse with leaders of political parties and their followers. Undeniably, this posture would unjustly erode public confidence in an institution that has made significant strides to transform itself in line with the Security Sector Reform agenda of the government. It has to be noted that the Armed Forces is committed to these reforms, while at the same time accountable and subordinate to democratic civilian authority and control since the advent of the new political dispensation,” they said.
The GAF High Command issued a strong condemnation of the remarks, calling them unethical, unpatriotic, and inappropriate for any responsible citizen—especially coming from a former senior military officer and public figure.
“These actions appear calculated to use the name of the Armed Forces to score political points and gain cheap popularity, a practice the GAF will not tolerate under any guise,” GAF said.
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) affirmed their commitment to professionalism, emphasizing that they are undergoing extensive reforms aligned with international best practices, the Security Sector Reform agenda, and the aspirations of the Gambian people.
“The Armed Forces will continue to remain fully subordinate to democratic, legally constituted civilian authority and guided strictly by the Constitution and the laws of The Gambia. As such, GAF will not sit idly by while its name and mandate are used as tools for political manipulation. Such actions not only undermine national cohesion but also have the potential to incite division and compromise national security,” they said.
They also called on Mr. Samsudeen Sarr and others who, they claimed, seek attention by making disparaging remarks about the country’s Armed Forces to refrain from such behavior.
“We also call on political actors, media houses, and commentators, notably West Coast Radio, to exercise restraint, uphold professional ethics, and avoid dragging the Armed Forces into political debates that have no bearing on its mission or duties. The GAF remains committed to preserving the peace and security of this country while at the same time contributing to meaningful national and socio-economic development. We therefore call on all Gambians, at home and abroad, to support the Armed Forces as it continues on its journey of transformation into a professional, modern, effective, and democratically accountable institution,” GAF said.
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