President Adama Barrow conferring the “insignia of Commander of the Order” of the Republic of The Gambia, on Major Abdoulaye Camara.
By Ramatoulie Jawo
President Adama Barrow, on Thursday, August 24, 2023, conferred the “Insignia of Commander of the Order” of the Republic of The Gambia, an honorary award, on Major Abdoulaye Camara, the outgoing Detachment Commander of ECOMIG forces, at the State House in Banjul, for his service to The Gambia.
The event was attended by senior government officials, the resident representative of the ECOWAS Commission in The Gambia, and the Senegalese Ambassador to The Gambia.
Since 2017, Major Abdoulie Camara has served as both the Detachment Commander and Principal Protection Officer for His Excellency President Adama Barrow. During his seven-year service in the nation, Major Camara has played a very important role in safeguarding the security of The Gambia. His colleagues commend his humility and unwavering dedication, noting that in addition to his professional responsibilities, Major Camara has cultivated friendly and harmonious relationships with individuals both within the Presidency and outside of it.
In his farewell address to Major Camara, His Excellency President Adama Barrow conveyed a heartfelt farewell. He characterized Major Camara as a consummate professional, someone forthright and dependable, and encouraged those who would follow in his footsteps to uphold the commendable work he has consistently performed.
“It is a sad day for me. Major is like a son to me, and I will really miss him. But unfortunately, every beginning has an end,” President Barrow said.
President Barrow encouraged Major Camara to excel in his future endeavors and prayed for his success. He praised Camara for being a professional commander with an excellent mind and for his ability to make sound decisions. Barrow also said that Camara had been a remarkable member of the presidential technical team and urged others to follow his example.
Barrow thanked Senegalese President Macky Sall for allowing Camara to stay in the Gambia and read a message from the Chief of Intelligence Officer that praised Camara’s professionalism.
“Major Camara has been a professional officer, a good commander, an excellent mind, and a good character. He has been a remarkable and convertible member of the Presidential Technical Team. His dedication, enthusiasm, and positive spirit have had a particular indelible mark on the close protection arrangements for the Presidency since his arrival in an extremely challenging security environment; his ability to relate and interface with utmost diplomacy with every stakeholder that in the safety and security of the President, the first family, and the state house, in general has been phenomenal,” President Barrow reads.
Major Camara describes President Barrow as his father and a guide to him. He offers his prayers for him to live long and enable him to complete the good intentions he has for Gambian citizens.
“The Gambia is lucky to have President Barrow as president. Anyone who hates the President doesn’t really know him. Because I know him, he has good intentions for his country, and I am praying for Allah to give him a long life to complete those intentions,” he said.