Lt. Col Lamin Sanneh is new State Guard Commander

Lt. Colonel Lamin Sanneh has been appointed as the new commander of the State Guards Battalion, the presidency announced on Friday.

Sanneh now replaces Brigadier General Alhagie Martin, who was last week removed and deployed to the diplomatic service as a civilian.

Martin was the latest senior military officer to join the list of ex-officer deployed to the diplomatic service including former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh, who was also removed last week and deployed to the diplomatic service.

Meanwhile, another press release from the presidency also announced on Friday that President Yahya Jammeh has decided that this year’s 22nd July celebrations will be low key because of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the release, there will be no parade to mark this year’s anniversary; but there will be a televised address to the nation on the eve of the anniversary.

President Jammeh, according to the release, urges all Muslims and Christians to use the occasion to pray in mosques and churches for peace and the prosperity of the nation, and for a successful 2012 cropping season.

The release went on to urge governors, mayors, chiefs and alkalolus, imams and priests to coordinate the prayer activities.

However, the release stated that the inauguration of projects or the laying of foundation stones can go ahead.