By Fatou Sowe
In a recent courtesy call on the Gambian minister of Defence, Sheikh Omar Faye, the head of delegation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Mrs. Valentine Bernasconi, discussed with the minister vital areas of cooperation with the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) mainly capacity building programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Bernasconi said before the surge of COVID-19, personnel of The Gambia Armed Forces were benefiting from the training programme on International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
She informed that the training will be revitalised following an official letter from the ICRC.
She went on to reference to the influx of internally displaced persons in The Gambia and assured that the ICRC in collaboration with the Gambia Red Cross Society is monitoring the situation at proximity.
The Minister of Defense, Sheikh Omar Faye for his part thanked Mrs. Valentine Bernasconi and delegation for the visit, describing it as an opportune one.
He noted the importance of cooperation between the ICRC and The Gambia Armed Forces in the area of capacity building.
He commended the Committee for their solid support during the crisis of the recent conflict between the Senegalese soldiers and the MFDC separatist group in the southern part of Senegal.
In conclusion, Minister Faye guaranteed that the Ministry under his leadership will continue to partner with ICRC for future collaborations.