His remarks came as part of a nationwide tour of military deployments aimed at articulating his vision and engaging directly with personnel to assess their working and living conditions.
The tour also provided an opportunity for the CDS to meet representatives of sister security services, community and religious leaders, and other stakeholders to reinforce the importance of sustaining peace. The exercise is scheduled to conclude on Monday, 21st September 2026.
In a powerful statement, Major General Gomez described tribalism as a “cancer that eats away at armies, especially in Africa.” He ordered soldiers to desist from tribal sentiments, declaring: “In this uniform, we do not see Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, or Jola. We see soldiers. We see Gambians. We see brothers and sisters in arms. Our only tribe is the Gambia Armed Forces.”
He warned that anyone found sowing ethnic or regional division within the barracks would face the full weight of military discipline.
Preparing for Elections
CDS Gomez further highlighted preparations for the upcoming elections, noting that training in Internal Security Operations (ISO) was being intensified to ensure troops were ready to fulfil their constitutional duties. However, he drew a clear line against political involvement: “You will not attend political rallies unless on official duties. You are servants of the state, not of any party or individual. Anyone who crosses this line breaks their oath and will be held accountable.”
He reminded officers of their right to vote as citizens but stressed that their primary role was to support the police when necessary, while respecting human rights and civilian relations.
Commitment to Human Rights and Discipline
The CDS urged soldiers to uphold human rights in every interaction, treating civilians with dignity and respect, adding: “The trust of the Gambian people is our greatest weapon. Safeguard it fiercely. We have worked too hard to raise this institution’s profile to let a few bad actions ruin our reputation,” he said.
To ease operational challenges, especially during the election period, CDS Gomez announced the provision of ten new patrol vehicles to enhance mobility and rapid response to security situations. He also reiterated government’s commitment to improving accommodation and living standards for officers.
Community Engagement
Earlier, Njaga Joof, the Alkalo of Njongon village, expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces for their efforts in ensuring security. He appealed for additional military vehicles and renovation of officers’ accommodation at the Njongon Post.
Joof praised the cordial relationship between the community and the military, noting the comfort residents felt with the presence of soldiers in their midst.
