Four army officers including the nation’s army chief have been promoted to various ranks. 

The promotion was approved by President Adama Barrow in consultation with the relevant stakeholders on the existing vacancies and the ongoing defence reforms in the Gambia Armed Forces, according to the Ministry of Defence statement.

The promoted officers are: Major General Yakuba A Drammeh, Chief of Defence Staff to Lieutenant General, Brigadier General Mamat O Cham, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to Major General, Colonel Ousman Gomez, Commander Gambia National Army to Brigadier General, Colonel Turo K Jawneh, Commander Republican National Guard to Brigadier General.

“The promotions are with effect from 1 October 2020. On behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Gambia and the Commander-In-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, Mr Adama Barrow, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Ambassador Sheikh Omar Faye and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, we would like to extend our hearty congratulations to the Service Chiefs and Commanders for their elevations to the prestigious ranks respectively,” Defence ministry added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba