Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Major General Ousman Gomez, has commenced a nationwide tour of military installations to assess the welfare and working conditions of troops across the country.

Major General Gomez began the 2026 tour on Monday, August 31, as part of efforts to engage directly with personnel and gain firsthand information on the conditions under which Gambian soldiers operate.

During the nationwide tour, the CDS is expected to meet with troops deployed at various military installations, as well as community leaders and regional administrators.

A major focus of the tour will be the welfare of GAF personnel, with the CDS expected to listen to troops and assess their living and working conditions.

The tour will also provide an opportunity for the GAF leadership to assess the state of deployments and identify challenges facing personnel across different parts of the country.

According to the GAF, the engagement with troops is intended to provide the CDS with firsthand information that can help inform decisions aimed at improving their welfare and operational effectiveness.

The tour will also focus on strengthening the existing cordial relationship between the military and civilian communities.

Meetings with community leaders and regional administrators are expected to further promote cooperation and understanding between the armed forces and the communities in which military personnel operate.

The nationwide tour forms part of the GAF leadership’s efforts to maintain regular engagement with personnel while strengthening civil-military relations across the country.

Major General Gomez is expected to continue the tour across various regions and military installations in the coming days.

By Adama Makasuba