‘President Barrow enthusiastic, committed to the Armed Forces’ – CDS

State House, Banjul, July 1, 2020 – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Yakuba A. Drammeh has said that the Commander-in-Chief, President Adama Barrow is very much passionate and committed to the cause of The Gambia Armed Forces.

CDS Drammeh was at the State House this morning to brief the President on the outcome of a two-week tour of military installations across the country which saw his high-level engagement with governors, key stakeholders, and community leaders across the country.

“As usual, President Barrow has taken ownership of the Armed Forces once again as Commander-in-Chief… He gave assurances that he will stand with the Armed Forces in our collective pursuit to bring about the much-necessary peace and tranquility,” CDS said, adding that in so doing, there is a need to meet some of the logistic needs and support of the Armed Forces.

The CDS said President Barrow expressed willingness to support the Armed Forces in moving forward and is optimistic that the future of the Gambia Armed Forces is very bright.

During the tour, the CDS’ delegation held close consultations with troops and their command, to have first-hand knowledge on the working and living conditions of the troops and the command.

“We had constructive engagements between the command and the serving members of the Armed Forces; discussed their situations and use the opportunity to share with them the policy initiatives and directives… in order words, I laid out my aspirations to move the Armed Forces forward,” he said

CDS Drammeh explained that these aspirations, no matter what they are, should be strictly in line with how to organise and restructure the Armed Forces to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief, every Gambian and development partners.

CDS Drammeh described the two weeks tour which ended at the State Guards’ Battalion in Banjul as “a resounding success.”

 

From Office of the President