By Assan Sallah, Security Affairs Correspondent.
Part One.
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) like many other militaries around the world are currently facing serious challenges due to leadership incompetence. Recently, some young soldiers were leaving the army for greener pasture abroad despite the security sector reform which has been ongoing since 2017. Despite the launching of the National Defence Policy, the adjustments made in the Terms And Conditions of Service (TACOS) of the Gambia Armed Forces, there are still challenges which have not been addressed.
As a matter of fact, anyone who knows the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt. General Mamat O.A. Cham and his top military Commanders, will not question their loyalty to the nation and the current government but the truth of the matter is that most of the decisions they take are either delayed, or not rightly taken in terms of implementation. The welfare of the serving members of the Gambia Armed Forces is a concern for all. Many instructions and steps have been taken to improve the welfare of the military but these instructions are not carried out on time, leaving behind doubts as to whether or not they are serious in the welfare advocacy.
I understand the current military leadership is facing some challenges and even sabotage at some point, but it is time for them to realise this and step ahead quickly in the interest of national development. Security is paramount and the welfare of the military should be prioritised in any case. The basic needs of the military within the powers of the GAF should be taken care of in time without delay. There’s a need for serious reforms in many aspects.
There are reports of many soldiers complaining of not receiving their financial benefits due to alleged negligence from the Treasury Department.
“This has been going on for several months now. There are inputs of underpayments prepared by the Finance Department of the Gambia Armed Forces and these are sent to the Treasury Department but unfortunately, they never act on it. Such situation has left many soldiers to think that our Finance Department is the cause of it but we have a leadership problem,” said an anonymous disgruntled soldier.
It is alleged that both Commanders at Unit Levels and the Army Senior Command don’t care much about the current situation and that is why the Finance Department and the Treasury are not doing what is expected of them on time. From our investigations, it looks like the Finance Department and Treasury don’t handle inputs, they dump them there.
However, our investigations further revealed that these are instances when soldiers are promoted and have to wait for some months before they can get their new rank entitlements.
Below are some of the major reasons for the large discharge and absent without leave from the Gambia Armed Forces:
Many unpatriotic personnel:
Generally, military service requires sacrifice and love for one’s country. It is not a money-making venture but unfortunately many young people think they can join the army to make money within a short period of time.
Politics:
There are many camps within the Gambia Armed Forces. It is rooted in the system although it is not obvious. The fact is that there are several groups within the army. Interestingly, each of these camps are hoping to be in charge. The situation keeps changing, thus dictating people’s choices to stay or leave. Such opinions are usually denied by the military but that’s a fact. The military is supposed to be apolitical.
Nepotism:
Reports and complains received from the army show that they senior Army Command appoint Directors and Commanders who will satisfy their needs. Mostly, these are the officers they take on peacekeeping missions and courses. Some officers who are not in their good books are left behind. There is proof of such records in our investigations.
Lack of Standard Promotion Procedures:
Regarding standard promotion procedures in GAF, it seems there is no formal way of doing things. For instance, in some countries they promote during their Independence Day celebration and nothing changes it. Even if it found you in the sky, you will get promoted. In other countries, they promote their soldiers even if they are abroad. For example, we have seen Nigerians and Senegalese promoting their soldiers who are on ECOMIG mission in The Gambia. For the Gambian soldiers, they are denied with no reason. The GAF leadership don’t want improvement in the welfare of their soldiers. Some of the soldiers have served for more than 10 years and are still privates and not because they are incompetent. I understand at some point from 2016; there was a moratorium on military intake due to security sector reform programme and other issues but there’s enough time now for the military leadership to look into the issues of the junior soldiers using standard procedures.
Lack of implementation of TACOS:
There is a serious delay in the implementation of the Terms And Conditions Of Service (TACOS) in GAF and indeed, all the stakeholders were involved in its development. During that period, they were all aware of the financial implications, yet they went ahead with it. As it is currently, most of the benefits have not been implemented. Government halted the implementation of other aspects. Our investigations revealed that a lot of redundant officers and senior non-commissioned officers who do not deserve such benefits and been taken on board. In the new TACOS the quartermaster commissioned officers should not hold command and most of them are holding. They keep giving them training opportunities to justify their appointments. Feedback of what obtains on the ground to the civilian leadership could be what is making ECOMIG staying longer.
Treating the Military like Civilian institutions:
The Gambian military is treated like a civilian institution, the earlier this is resolve the better for them. Soldiers are not civil servants and must not be treated as one. In some countries, militaries have their own pay scale. Most of the civilians shouting are the same people who think our military don’t deserve what they are getting, and some are using it as political weapon against the government. They are the same people undermining everything. How can the Personnel Management Office (PMO) give slots for promotion of the military? I am not saying there shouldn’t be no oversight of the military but to implement the Security Sector Reform (SSR), the military must be independent in re-organizing itself. They should decide how to fill their positions with the appropriate ranks, the equipment required and positioning of the troops. Let’s be honest here Senegal and other countries are spending well in their military. See link on the African Center for Strategic Studies https://africacenter.org/spotlight/military-professionalism-senegal/. This is why the Senegalese military don’t intervene into politics. For instance, during the protest that led to the downfall of Macky Sall, the Senegalese army was never deployed for once, it was only the Gendarmerie. If it was in The Gambia, the authorities will involve the army for the start.
Regarding the PMO, it seems like the officials at the PMO and Treasury Department don’t care. In my investigations I noticed that those working there are acting like it is their parents’ firms. They work at their convenience and neglect the inputs that come from the Finance Department of the Army for allowances and salaries. It takes several months for some soldiers going back and forth to complain about their payments. This is frustrating. I hope action will be taken to resolve this situation now.
Finally, I appeal to the Gambia Government to address the implementation of TACOS. It looks like both the GAF leadership and the Government are dragging their feet in the implementation process.
My investigations revealed that a letter dated 5th January 2025, with Reference Number PR/C/218/25/Part1/(55-ASJ) signed by Abubakarr Suleiman Jeng, the National Security Adviser, gave executive instructions to the Minister of Defence Hon. Sering Modou Njie and copied to the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces Lt. General Mamat O.A Cham to liaise with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs for the release of the monthly cash allocation deficit to cater for the rent allowances of the soldiers. Equally, they were further instructed to ensure the immediate kick start of the review of the related TACOS allowances and benefits and to revise the TACOS for fiscally sustainable limits.
Interestingly, the letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser is calling for a review of the TACOS. If the implementation of the TACOS was complicated even though it was endorsed by the government, then why would they wait until the start of its implementation and they’re calling for a review? It is stated in the TACOS that it should be received every five years then why reviewing it in less than a month when it came into effect?
