The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a strong rebuke against what it describes as “unfounded and irresponsible” commentary targeting its operations and professionalism in a press release signed by Colonel Lamin K. Sanyang, Director of Press and Public Relations. The GAF singled out former Gambia National Army Commander Samsudeen Sarr and aspiring presidential candidate Essa Mbaye Faal for remarks deemed misleading and potentially divisive.
The GAF expressed alarm over a growing media and public discourse trend that misrepresents its role within The Gambia’s democratic framework. In recent publications, Sarr referenced a 2024 theft incident involving Senegalese Gendarmerie personnel, part of the ECOMIG Forces securing the President, and questioned the deployment of GAF infantry soldiers at key sites like Denton Bridge in Banjul. The GAF criticized these statements as attempts to undermine its professionalism and apolitical stance.
Similarly, Faal, a political figure, claimed in a recent interview that the government is neglecting the GAF. The military condemned these remarks as baseless, arguing they politicize the institution and erode public confidence. The GAF emphasized its commitment to the government’s Security Sector Reform agenda and its subordination to civilian authority since the 2017 political transition.
“These utterances are unethical, unpatriotic, and unbecoming of any responsible citizen, particularly from a former senior military officer and a public figure,” the statement read, accusing Sarr and Faal of exploiting the GAF’s name for political gain. The High Command warned that such actions threaten national cohesion and could incite division, compromising security.
The GAF underscored its ongoing transformation into a professional, modern, and democratically accountable institution aligned with international best practices and Gambians’ expectations. It reaffirmed its dedication to remaining apolitical, guided by the Constitution and laws of The Gambia, and vowed not to tolerate efforts to drag it into political disputes.
The statement called on Sarr and others to cease disparaging the military and urged political actors, media outlets—specifically West Coast Radio—and commentators to exercise restraint and uphold ethical standards. “The GAF will not sit idly by while its name and mandate are used as tools for political manipulation,” Colonel Sanyang asserted.
The release concluded with a call for national unity, urging Gambians at home and abroad to support the GAF’s mission to preserve peace and contribute to socio-economic development. The military reiterated its commitment to serving as a pillar of stability while advancing its reform journey.
The controversy has sparked debate about the role of public figures in discussing sensitive national institutions. Neither Sarr nor Faal has publicly responded to the GAF’s statement.
