Ten senior military officers of The Gambia Armed Forces have been promoted from the ranks of lieutenant colonels to colonel ranks at a ceremony presided over by President Adama Barrow at State House.

The promoted officers are Lieutenant Colonel Yerro NA Jallow – Director of Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Doctor Musa Kah – Director of GAF Medical Services, Lieutenant Colonel Omar B Bojang – Deputy National Security Adviser to the President, Lieutenant Colonel Seedy Joof – Programme Officer, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria.

Others are Lieutenant Colonel Musa M Jammeh (in absentia) – Director of Finance and Budget, Lieutenant Colonel Bunja E Darboe (in absentia) – Director of Procurement, Lieutenant Colonel Ousman Bah – Staff Officer Defense Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Abdoulie Bah – Commanding Officer, 1 Infantry Battalion, Yundum Barracks, Lieutenant Colonel Lamin k Sanyang – Military Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff/ Director of Press and Public Relations GAF and Lieutenant Colonel Abdoulie Mboob – Commanding Officer, State Guard Battalion.

Speaking at the decoration ceremony, defence minister Serign Modou Njie commended the officers on their promotion while urging them to remain professional in their duty in serving the country.

General Mamat O. Cham, Gambian army chief, congratulated the decorated officers on their new ranks, while advising them to continue displaying diligent professionalism in serving the country.

“The promotions are in line with the security sector reform since the coming to government,” he said, addressing President Adama Barrow, while pledging to him their ‘loyalty.’

“To decorated officers, I would caution you all to look at this celebration as privileged and act responsibly,” he urged the decorated officers.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba