The Gambia Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau signed a Joint Communiqué on Thursday to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, improve regional security, and foster lasting collaboration between the two military institutions.
The ceremony took place at the Defense Headquarters in Banjul. It concluded a two-day working and friendly visit by General of the Army Tomas Djassi, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau and President of the Transitional Council of Bissau. Present for the signing were the Chief of the Defense Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Osman Gomez; General Djassi; the Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luís Domingos Camará de Barros; and military technical delegations from both countries.
Lieutenant General Gomez described the signing as an important milestone in strengthening military relations between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. He emphasized the value of sharing information, military training and education, and closer cooperation to confront common security challenges. He also stressed the need for greater coordination and collaboration between the two armed forces to promote peace, stability, and security across the region, while reaffirming the Gambia Armed Forces’ commitment to effectively implementing the agreements in the Communique.
General Djassi called the signing an honor and a significant achievement in the continued development of defense cooperation between the two countries. He thanked the technical delegations from both sides for drafting the document. He underscored the importance of regional coordination, military solidarity, operational exchanges, and professional military development in building both forces’ capabilities. He thanked President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, and the Gambian people for their spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. He reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to implementing the agreements and to advancing greater professionalism within the two military institutions.
Ambassador Luís Domingos Camará de Barros highlighted the Joint Communiqué as a practical framework for cooperation between the two armed forces. He said the agreement would strengthen both forces’ collective resolve to safeguard their respective nations and respond effectively to shared security concerns.
The signing marks a further step in deepening defense and security ties between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Officials expect the effective implementation of the Communiqué to reinforce mutual trust, raise military professionalism, and consolidate the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the Gambia Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau.
