The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has expressed profound disappointment at the resignation of Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Mamat Cham and has called for a full, independent investigation into serious allegations of misconduct that led to his exit.
The human rights and governance watchdog said President Adama Barrow accepted Cham’s resignation on 29 May 2026. The group warned that, if proven, the allegations represent a grave breach of trust by the country’s highest-ranking military officer.
“Lt. Gen. Cham appears to have failed to uphold the law and the professional and ethical standards required of his office,” the statement read. EFSCRJ accused the former CDS of allegedly using his position, military resources, and personnel for personal enrichment, actions it described as a “gross violation of his oath of office” that have damaged the reputation and effectiveness of the Gambia Armed Forces.
The Center stressed that such conduct undermines discipline, erodes public trust, and jeopardizes national security in an institution constitutionally mandated to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The office of the CDS demands the highest standards of character, competence, accountability, and integrity,” EFSCRJ noted, adding that leadership must provide discipline, direction, mentorship, and exemplary conduct.
The rights group urged President Barrow, the National Security Council, and the Armed Forces Council to immediately establish a “thorough, independent, and transparent investigation.” It demanded that findings and recommendations be made public and implemented without favoritism or regard to rank.
EFSCRJ further called for a comprehensive review of leadership, management, and operational culture within the Gambia Armed Forces to root out corruption, abuse of authority, conflicts of interest, and unethical behavior. The goal, it said, is to rebuild a professional military grounded in constitutionalism, accountability, and excellence.
While strongly condemning the alleged actions, the Center said it was “unfortunately not surprised,” describing the case as part of a wider pattern of corruption, abuse of office, and impunity across Gambian public institutions. It cited repeated findings by investigative journalists, the National Audit Office, parliamentary inquiries, and commissions of inquiry that have rarely resulted in meaningful accountability.
EFSCRJ reminded President Barrow, as Commander-in-Chief, of his constitutional duty to ensure the rule of law prevails in the security sector. “The public expects decisive action,” the statement said, warning that the matter “must not end with a resignation” but lead to genuine accountability and institutional reform.
