By Ramatoulie Jaw
The Gambia’s Minister of Defense, Sering Modou Njie, on Wednesday addressed concerns raised in Parliament regarding the government’s proposal to deploy Gambian troops as part of a peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone.
During a parliamentary session, Latrikunda Sabiji representative Yahya Sanyang questioned how such a deployment aligns with broader regional security objectives and what specific threats it aims to counter. He also inquired whether the move was intended to reinforce the Sierra Leonean president’s hold on power rather than address security concerns.
In response, Minister Njie emphasized The Gambia’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), explaining that the bloc had resolved to establish a standby force to combat terrorism, unconstitutional government changes, and instability in the region.
“ECOWAS pledged to commit a stabilization force in Sierra Leone after the attempted coup and additionally the Gambia also pledged a motorized company to support the ECOWAS mission in Sierra Leone contributing to the regional peace and security,” he said.
Foni Bintang representative Bakary Badjie pressed the minister further, questioning whether Sierra Leone’s military was incapable of safeguarding its own leadership.
Njie reaffirmed that The Gambia’s participation is part of a broader ECOWAS initiative, not a unilateral effort. “Whether the country’s own defense and security forces cannot provide the necessary security, that is up Sierra Leone to decide,” he said.
He stated that, in line with ECOWAS mandates, they have committed a company to support the troops on the stabilization mission.
When asked how the government justifies deploying personnel for peacekeeping abroad while hosting peacekeepers at home, the minister responded that there is no restriction preventing a country benefiting from a peacekeeping mission from also contributing to another. He emphasized, “Of course, we can contribute to other missions under the auspices of ECOWAS.”
When asked whether the government had already made the deployment, the minister informed the parliament that no troops had been sent to Sierra Leone yet.
He explained that the ECOWAS Commission and the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff were currently meeting in Abuja to finalize the modalities for deploying the ECOWAS stabilization force.
On September 17, 2024, the National Assembly approved the deployment of the Gambian Armed Forces to help restore peace, security, and stability in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The motion was presented to lawmakers by Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow, who emphasized that the deployment aimed to support the ECOWAS joint operation in stabilizing Sierra Leone following a recent attempted coup.