“As Gambians, we have to jealously safeguard the country's peace and stability. Let’s not do anything that has the penitential of undermining the country’s peace and stability. The country cannot achieve its developmental aspiration in the absence of peace and stability. Therefore, maintaining peace and stability in the country should be a priority of all Gambians,” he said.
CDS Cham was speaking yesterday at Barra during a visit to the Gamcoy 7 of the Ghanaian contingent as part of the ECOMIG Forces that are currently in the country.
The country’s army chief who was accompanied by the Minister for Defence, is currently on a nationwide tour visiting military installations across the country with the desire of getting first hand information on the living conditions of soldiers under his command.
“I want to sincerely thank the Ghanaian contingent for their tireless effort in ensuring that there is peace and stability in the country. So far, we have never received any information about anything with regard to Gamcoy 7. I therefore, want you to maintain the cordial working relationship with the Gambian security forces and more especially the civilian population,” CDS Cham advised.
“As Gambians, we shouldn’t be allowed to be misinformed by anyone with the desire of creating problems in the country. Collectively, we should work together and ensure that there is peace in the country so that the government will continue to provide the much needed development.”
Gamcoy 7, he added, is one of the current ECOMIG contingents in the country that has won the hearts of Gambian people. “The mission of the ECOMIG is central to the country’s security sector reforms. Therefore, we need to better collaborate and work together for the interest of the country. Let’s strengthen our joint patrols and training,” he said.
“We have to work together, conduct an assessment in the area with the desire of having a comprehensive training programme and training ground within the region.”
Cross border attack and robbery, he said, are recently surfacing in the region due to what he described as “porous border. “I therefore, want to urge the contingent and the country’s security services within the area to work together and patrol the area with the desire of ensuring that people’s lives and properties are protected.”
Commenting on some of the concerns raised by the Gamcoy 7 especially on the issues of threats on social media among others, CDS Cham said: “I want to assure you all that those comments don’t represent Gambians. Generally, Gambians are very appreciative of the work you are doing within the area.”
Sering Modou Njie, the minister for Defence, thanked the Gamcoy 7 for the excellent cordial relationship that exists between them and security services as well as civilian population.
The Gambia and Ghana, he added, have a cordial bilateral relationship. “We want to thank the contingent for the good work they are doing in the area in terms of supporting community initiatives and also working with the securities in maintaining peace within the area.”
Responding to concerns raised by members of the contingent especially on a road starting from the terminal, the Minister said: “I have noted the concerns you raised about the bad road network and I can assure you that I will communicate it with the minister of works and I am sure something will be done about it.”
The commanding officer of Gamcoy 7, Lieutenant Colonel Kwasi Preprah, thanked the CDS and the defence Minister for the visit, saying: “We will continue to work with our Gambian counterparts in maintaining the country’s peace and stability. We will also continue to strengthen the civil military relations with inhabitants of the area.”
The Ghanaian contingent conducted a presentation of their activities in the region, ranging from joint patrols, cleaning exercise and mobile clinic among others.
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