The nation’s top military leader Lieutenant General Yakuba A Drammeh has disclosed in a goodwill message to troops the army achieved a lot in 2020 despite the challenging impediments occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is with a deep sense of accomplishment, gratification and hope that I address this message to the gallant officers, soldiers/ratings of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) as we draw the curtain on an eventful Year 2020. It is my fervent conviction that we have achieved a lot together (in the context of our set goals) during the out-going year despite the unprecedented and challenging impediments occasioned by, among other things, the COVID – 19 pandemic,” General Drammeh said.
The general also said: “Apparently, the Pandemic had and continues to pose serious challenges to the realization of some of our strategic objectives in the area of training, operations and capacity building. In order to mitigate the risks of transmissions among our personnel, GAF had to scale down its administrative, operational and training activities at the respective Service, Formation and Unit Headquarters. At this juncture, allow me to commend the Directorate of GAF Medical Services for the vigorous sensitization campaign conducted for troops under command thus reducing the risks of transmission within all military installations.
“During this challenging period, troops of GAF provided humanitarian services, at the request of Civil Authority, by helping in the distribution of the government COVID – 19 food packages to needy Gambians and participated in preparing isolation centres for infected persons. Additionally, during the month of June 2020, as part of celebrations marking ‘World Blood Donor Day’, you all made us very proud when you thronged all the major health facilities to voluntarily donate blood. Such calculated moves on the part of these fine men and women is worthy of commendation and should be encouraged at all times.
“On the operational front, my Headquarters launched Operation “CRACK NUT” following the declaration by the Commander-In-Chief of a State of Public Emergency throughout the country in March 2020. Personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces were mobilized to ensure that the risk of transmission of the COVID is reduced through vigorous patrols, contact tracing and quarantine of suspects. Additionally, the GAF equally maintained her operational tempo with a new deployment earlier in the year at Kerr Pateh village in the North Bank Region. This was precipitated by incidences of armed robberies and banditry activities by unscrupulous groups of individuals that threaten the peace and security in these communities.
“It is therefore, heartening to report that the deployment has been able to successfully curb the occurrence of these activities by criminals in the general area. It may be instructive to state that the Armed Forces has won the hearts and minds of many Gambians and non-Gambians through the conduct of these outreach activities and also restored peace and security to vulnerable communities through vigorous patrols and other operations. All these achievements, amongst many others, would not have been registered without the resolute commitment and diligence of the gallant men and women in uniform. Your unique service to the Nation is worthy of commendation and you are urged not to relent to live up to your individual and collective responsibilities.
“In the domain of Peace Support Operations, a lot of progress has been made in our efforts to deploy a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in a UN mission in view of the pending closure of the Darfur mission in Sudan. To this end, on Wednesday 25 November 2020, the first consignment of 20 soft skin vehicles were received while the second consignment comprising 8 vehicles including an ambulance, a Recovery and Maintenance vehicle is expected in the next couple of weeks. Furthermore, I am happy to report that GAF successfully conducted a virtual Advance Advisory Visit (AAV) by the UN to ascertain our operational capability in terms of personnel, equipment and appropriate training to deploy a QRF in the mission area to be identified.
“It is important at this point to express our sincere appreciation to His Excellency the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, Mr. Adama Barrow for his commitment to support the Armed Forces in its transformation and reform process. The Armed Forces wishes to reiterates its total and unflinching commitment to the reform process while appreciating the progress that has been registered so far in this domain since the appointment of a Minister of Defence. At present, with support of strategic partners, several policy and legal documents such as the Gambia Armed Forces Act, the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) for both Officers and Soldiers/ Ratings, documents relating to recruitment, training, promotions and peace support operations are being reviewed.
“It is against this backdrop that I sincerely convey heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all our strategic partners who have been instrumental and magnanimous in providing the necessary support in terms of logistics, training and other related assistance. Worthy of commendation is the sister security services and the ECOMIG Forces for the collaboration and mutual support that we continue to enjoy. Significantly, I wish to express profound gratitude to members of the general public for their immense patience, understanding and confidence exhibited towards the Armed Forces during the period under review.
“As we gradually welcome 2021 and the country prepares for elections, I wish to remind you all of the political climate while urging you all to remain vigilant, professional and apolitical in the execution of your sacred constitutional duties. We must endeavor to be a reformed Armed Forces that is prepared to execute its constitutional roles and at the core, subjected to democratic civilian authority and accountability. Our role, I must admit is a noble one and requires total commitment to the ideals of the Founding Fathers of this country.
“Finally, as we celebrate Christmas and look forward to a New Year in peace, I enjoin all of you to equally remember and pray for our fallen comrades for Almighty Allah to forgive their sins and grant them the highest Heavens. I thank you all once again for the good job you continue to render to the Nation and look forward to greater progress in the Year 2021.
“New Year is the beginning of new hopes and new aspirations. May each day of Year 2021 be illuminated with happiness, good health and good fortune. In addition, may the coming Year be blessed with warmth and love for you and your families. May God shower your lives with eternal peace and happiness and bring you success in every step of your lives. I am wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Successful New Year full of blessings.”
