Senegalese ECOMIG contingent celebrates 58 years of nationhood

The Senegalese ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia on Wednesday joined their country to celebrate 58 years of independence.

The celebration which brought together, the head of ECOMIG mission in the Gambia, Vabah Gayflor, Senegalese ambassador in The Gambia, H.E Professor Saliou Ndiaye and the deputy chief of Defence Staff, Major General Yakubu Drammeh and ECOMIG Forces commander, Fulgence Ndour amongst others was held at the ECOMIG Headquarters in Fajara.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senegalese Ambassador Ndiaye paid tribute to families of their fallen soldiers and veterans who represent an inexhaustible source of honour and courage for their generations to come, adding that their nation will be eternally grateful to them.

“This kind of emotion added respect because they (the Senegalese soldiers) have chosen to exercise one of the finest crafts – the profession of arms,” he said.

On behalf of President Macky Sall, he thanked the Senegalese forces in contributing to the stabilisation of peace in The Gambia

He also hailed their Gambian counterparts for joining them in the celebration.

For his part, Saliou Ngum, the head of Operation, Senegalese ECOMIG contingent said:  “Since 1960 to date, our first engagement to peace support operations was in the late Zaire where Senegal deployed 600 blue headed UN peacekeepers. More than 50, 000 Senegalese soldiers have participated in external operations conducted under the banner of the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which later became the bilateral defence agreements or coalition between the African Union (AU), ECOWAS,” he said.

 He added that in the same vein, the recognition of their national competence and military expertise in contributing to the peace effort in the world has been illustrated by the appointment of senior Senegalese military authorities to lead UN operations.

In the sub-region, he said their solidarity-based defense policy, and action are part of the consolidating a good relationship with their neighbours by contributing to strengthening peace as well as creating a good climate for mutual trust.