By: Isatou Sarr
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, has instructed military personnel to refrain from discussing or becoming involved in the Gambia-Senegal border issue.
Gomez said the matter was being handled by designated commissions established by The Gambia and Senegal to address border-related concerns.
The CDS made the remarks during his ongoing nationwide tour while addressing members of the Armed Forces.
He said the two countries had established commissions to address issues arising along the border, including recent developments in border areas.
“Some of us are engaged in this border issue and I think we are aware of what is happening, that is the border issue between us and Senegal,” Gomez said.
He also referred to the demolition of part of a military camp in connection with the border issue, saying the matter should be left to the designated commissions.
Gomez directed military personnel not to engage in discussions on the border unless they had been officially assigned to do so.
“I don’t want to hear any report, complain from whoever that our troops are engaged in border issues. It is not your responsibility, mandate, duties to engage in discussing border issue,” he told the soldiers.
He instructed personnel who encounter border-related matters to report them to the appropriate commission.
“On no circumstances should you engage in border discussion whatsoever without being assigned by a competent authority,” Gomez said.
According to the CDS, military personnel may only participate in border-related activities when authorized by the competent authorities, including providing escort or security protection to commissioners carrying out their duties.
