Formation of the Gambia Army
Recently I was privileged to acquire the said book and after reading through it and reflecting on the formation of the GNA, I've observed that the author is claiming that they built the army, but to my understanding of the formation of the Gambia national army:
- The BATT helped in the formation process hence on their arrival in the Gambia, they were received by members of the newly formed GNA under the leadership of Ndaw Njie.
- Though the military history of The Gambia reportedly spans from the earliest colonial contact in the 1500s, but Gambia (in the first republic) started recruitment for the new army in 1983, well before the arrival of the BATT.
It was not built for the protection of the president as claimed by the author but for the defense of the nation.
- Yundum camp was established before the arrival of BATT.
- The first batch of GNA was trained by George Fringpong in 1983 in Farafenni. He was assisted by instructors from Bakau field force/Gernderm camp and Farafenni PU. (Sgt. Joseph mendy, Cpl Modou Bah, Lcpl Ebou Faye, Lcpl Secka, Lcpl Lamin Njie, cpl Samura and others.
The officer the author referred to as RSM Jeng was recruited into the army and trained by George Fringpongn and Ndaw Njie.
Jeng was never part of the police force or defense forces as claimed by the author.
- Some of the vehicles and military items donated by France were reportedly utilized before the arrival of BATT
- Some personnel of GNA were promoted to cadet officers before the arrival of BATT
- There was seemingly no formation referred to as African defense forces existing in the Gambia in 83/84 as claimed by the author.
- Names of Some BATT members are missing in the book.
Household names such as sergeant major Allen, Rob John, major Wright and others are seemingly not mentioned
- Reportedly, the Marine unit was in existence before the formation of the GNA.
- The first badge of the officers corps was selected before the arrival of BATT.
Cadet officers: Ablie conteh, Fabakary ceesay, Baboucarr Jatta, among others, were selected and promoted before the arrival of BATT.
- Unlike the story by the author in page 28 of the book, there were no indications of any form of presidential interventions based on tribalism in the selection of officers corps.
Most of the above cadet officers were not of the same tribe with the then president.
And also, Pa Gaye, Maba jobe, Davies, Dr Njie and others were earlier selected and promoted before the arrival of BATT. And are not of the same tribe with the then president.
I stand to be corrected, hence there are people who are more informed.
Gambians need to write our own history
Going through the book and understanding the importance of our history, I wish to strongly suggest that you contact the following for facts regarding the formation of the Gambia National Army:
Retired col. Ndaw Njie, Former CDS BABOUCARR Jatta, Former KMC Mayor Ablie Conteh.
We continue to be grateful and respect the author and the entire team BATT for their immense contributions in the formation of the army.
May Allah continue to bless them and their families. Amen Allah.
Ebrima L Faye
Faji Kunda
Kanifing Municipality
