Lieutenant General Mamat O. A. Cham has resigned as Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces following allegations of misconduct and abuse of office, marking a dramatic development at the highest level of the country’s military leadership.

The resignation, which took immediate effect on Friday, was accepted by President Adama Barrow, according to a statement issued by the Office of the President.

In his resignation letter, General Cham reportedly acknowledged that he was stepping down in the wake of “numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse of office inconsistent with the Office of Chief of Defence Staff.”

The presidency said the former army chief also assured the president of his willingness to cooperate with any investigations that may arise from the allegations.

The sudden resignation follows weeks of growing public controversy linked to accusations reportedly made by Sergeant Modou Saine, who previously served as General Cham’s personal assistant.

Sergeant Saine was said to have been a close aide to the army chief, handling several personal and official errands before relations between the two allegedly deteriorated.

Following the fallout, Saine reportedly began making allegations accusing the military chief of corruption, misconduct and abuse of office – claims that rapidly fueled public debate and intensified scrutiny around the leadership of the armed forces.

While authorities have not publicly detailed the full nature of the allegations, the resignation statement represents the strongest official acknowledgment yet that the accusations had reached a level serious enough to force the country’s top military officer from office.

In accepting the resignation, President Barrow moved swiftly to prevent a leadership vacuum within the military hierarchy by appointing Major General Ousman Gomez as Acting Chief of Defence Staff with immediate effect.

Until his appointment, Major General Gomez served as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff at Army Headquarters in Banjul.

The presidency said the appointment was made under powers granted to the president by Section 190 of the Constitution.

General Cham, who served as The Gambia’s ninth Chief of Defence Staff, thanked President Barrow for what he described as the confidence and trust placed in him during his tenure.

The resignation now places fresh attention on accountability, transparency and discipline within the security sector at a time when the government continues to promote institutional reform and democratic governance.

By Adama Makasuba