The presidency has announced the sacking of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh on Wednesday, stating no reason for the decision.
In a statement, the president acted in his capacity as Commander in Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, invoking his powers in accordance with Section 190, sub-section (3) of the 1997 Constitution.
He has “decided to relieve Lieutenant General Masanneh N. Kinteh of his duties as the Chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, effective 5th March 2020. Gen. Kinteh hands over to Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Yakuba A. Drammeh.”
Before being appointed as CDS in 2017, Kinteh served as the military aide of the President during the political impasse, responsible for his security and protection arrangements.
This is the second stint as army chief after serving the same position during the previous administration under ex-president, Yahya Jammeh.
