Barrow Appoints Three Commanders for Various GAF Units

Gambian leader Adama Barrow has appointed three commanders of the Gambia National Army, Republican National Guards and the State Guards Battalion respectively, a statement signed and released by the spokesperson of Gambia Armed Forces, Major Lamin Sanyang on Monday indicated.

“The Gambia Armed Forces is pleased to inform the general public that His Excellency the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, Mr. Adama Barrow, acting in accordance with the powers conferred on him under section 190(1) and (4) of the 1997 Constitution has made the following appointments in the Gambia Armed Forces:

1. Colonel Ousman Gomez – Commander of the Gambia National Army;
2. Colonel Turo Jawneh – Commander of the Republican National Guards and
3. Colonel Sait Njie – Commanding Officer of the State Guards Battalion respectively.

According to the statement, the appointments are with immediate effect.

Background of appointed commanders 

Colonel Ousman Gomez – Commander of the Gambia National Army who is preparing to defend his Second Master’s degree thesis on Peace and Conflict Resolution at International Christian University in Japan was until recently the Force Provost Marshal (Military Police Chief) and Legal Advisor to the Chief of Defence Staff.

Colonel Turo Jawneh – Commander of the Republican National Guards was until his new appointment the Commanding Officer of the State Guards Battalion since 2017.

Colonel Sait Njie – Commanding Officer of the State Guards Battalion was until his new appointment the Director of Training and Doctrine at the Defence Headquarters.

The release states that appointment of the senior officers is part of the security sector reforms.