196 Gambia Soldiers Leave for Peacekeeping in Darfur

A Gambian contingent left Banjul early Tuesday morning for the troubled region of Darfur in Sudan to replace another contingent of Gambian soldiers that ended their six-month tour of duty in December.

The troops, numbering 196 including female soldiers, will serve under the United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping operation.

The soldiers attended a farewell ceremony on Monday at July 22 Square in Banjul, which was attended by Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy, chief of defence staff Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, service chiefs, cabinet ministers and diplomats.

Also present at the ceremony was former president Sir Dawda Jawara. President Jammeh was away in Egypt for the African Union summit.

In an address to the troops, who are under the command of Lt. Col. Sainey Bayo, Njie-Saidy admonished them to maintain the exemplary record of the Gambia armed forces in peacekeeping operations around the world.

Maj. Gen. Tamba said that since 1989 Gambian troops have been on peacekeeping operations in Liberia, Guinea Bissau and Darfur and currently 323 Gambia soldiers and officers are serving overseas, which represents a huge contribution to peacekeeping efforts by Gambia.

Source African Press Agency

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