More dismissals in Gambia's security circles
By Ismaila M.S. Naban
BANJUL, Gambia- Few days after the Gambia's Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Yankuba Drammeh was dismissed from the Gambia Armed Forces, more senior Army Officers, as well as the country's Inspector General of Police, had followed suit.
The President of the Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Yahya Jammeh, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), had dismissed the Officers, according to a press release read on the Gambia's national radio and television services, although no reasons were advanced.

It could be recalled that Yankuba Drammeh, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces had been previously demoted to the rank of Private and dismissed from the GAF, on 30 November 2009, but was shortly afterwards reinstated and re-promoted to his former rank and position.

But the nation was recently again informed that the same Army Number Two has been dismissed with effect from Friday, February 26th, 2010 and replaced by Brigadier General Ousman Badjie, Army Commander who also doubles as Chief of Army Staff.

According to the release: "The Office of the President hereby informs the general public that His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia and Commander-In-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces has with effect from Friday 26th February 2010, dismissed Major General Yankuba Drammeh, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff from The Gambia Armed Forces.

"In the same vein, His Excellency the President has appointed Brigadier General Ousman Badjie, Army Commander as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff with immediate effect. He also doubles as Chief of Army Staff".

However, the nation was on Tuesday, 2 March 2010, again informed of others dismissals from the Armed Forces, and the IGP.

A press release read on the national Broadcasters said to be from the Office of the President, said the Gambian leader and Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, had dismissed the Gambia Navy boss, Rear Admiral Sarjo Fofana, and the IGP Mr. Ensa Badjie (alias Jesus), with effect from Tuesday, 2 March 2010.

The release further disclosed the President's dismissal of Colonel Mamatar Secka, Commander of The Gambia Military Police; Major Kuluta Manneh of Army Headquarters, and Lt. Colonel Abdoulie Jatta of Gambia National Guard.

In a related move, The Gambian President and Commander-in-Chief of the GAF had appointed Mr. Yankuba Sonko, formerly deputy IGP, as the Acting Inspector General of The Gambia Police Force, replacing the dismissed IGP Badjie.

Navy Commodore Sillah Kujabi is now the Acting head of The Gambia Navy; while Lt.Col. Kawsu Sanyang is appointed as Commandant of Gambia Armed Forces Training School.

And Commissioner Famara Jallow, according to the release, has been reinstated in the Police Force and appointed as Deputy Inspector General of Police.

It could be recalled that the dismissed Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Sarjo Fofana was the President of The Gambia Court Martial Panel that convicted 10 military Officers of The Gambia Armed Forces for their role in the March 21, 2006 foiled coup against the Government of President Yahya Jammeh.

Some of the convicted officers in that march 21, 2006 case are now serving life imprisonment.