The Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, has reaffirmed the Gambia’s commitment to stronger bilateral defense ties and regional security cooperation during talks with his counterpart from Guinea-Bissau.
Lieutenant General Gomez hosted General of the Army Tomas Djassi, Chief of General Staff and President of the Transitional Council of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, at Defense Headquarters in Banjul on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. He described the visit as a significant honor and an important opportunity to deepen military relations, improve mutual understanding and advance shared security priorities.
In his remarks, General Gomez stressed the value of responsible military leadership and closer collaboration in tackling regional challenges. He said stronger partnership between the two armed forces would help promote peace, stability and collective security across West Africa. He called for expanded professional military cooperation, including personnel exchanges, joint training, and the sharing of operational knowledge and expertise, noting that such measures could raise training standards and enhance personnel development in both countries.
The Gambia’s defense chief also underlined the importance of continued engagement in defense policy, operational security and military diplomacy. He reaffirmed the GAF’s readiness to work closely with the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau to advance common objectives and strengthen regional security partnerships.
In response, General Djassi said the two countries’ relationship is rooted in friendship, brotherhood, and shared political and security interests. He stressed that closer ties were essential to promoting peace and stability within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
He recalled that the two sides signed a defense cooperation agreement in February 2025, describing it as a solid foundation for practical collaboration. Given the region’s geographical realities and security challenges, he said neighboring states needed coordinated responses and sustained partnerships.
General Djassi highlighted professional military development as a priority, particularly the need to strengthen English-language skills among Guinea-Bissau’s commissioned and non-commissioned officers. He explained that improved proficiency would improve communication, support career advancement, and enable more effective participation in joint activities. He expressed interest in expanding training opportunities for Guinea-Bissau personnel, including courses at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School in Fajara, to build capacity and improve operational readiness.
The Guinea-Bissau chief also identified potential areas of cooperation, including specialized training, border security, tactical development, and the exchange of technical expertise. He emphasized the need for a practical action plan to guide implementation, monitor progress, and ensure agreed initiatives produce tangible results.
General Djassi thanked the Gambia Armed Forces for the warm reception extended to his delegation and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to mutually beneficial military ties.
The visit highlights The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau’s shared determination to strengthen bilateral defense relations through dialogue, professional training, and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.
