Editorial

A supreme task of the Armed Forces is to save lives and properties; the institution is ordained to ensure that the citizenry and the sovereignty of the state is defended from external aggression. Aside from this crucial task, the Army can do much more to contribute to the advancement of its citizenry.

The inauguration of a fishing boat by the State Guard battalion of the Armed Forces so as to contribute to the food self sufficiency drive of the nation is something that will be greatly appreciated by the populace. This is another elucidation that the Gambia Armed Forces is not in any way trailing behind in our nation building. The institution has manifested itself as a force to reckon with. They are soldiers with a difference.

In the recent past, we have seen the Army responding ambitiously to the back-to-the-land call of the president. They did not do this by only aiding the president, their commander-in-chief, on his farm. But there has been an increasing number of collective military farm lands and personnel in the force have also been instrument in the scheme. Among such personnel is the chief of defence staff, Major General Lang Tombong Tamba.

There is also a growing healthy military-civilian relationship. With the declaration of zero tolerance on military brutality, the Armed Forces and the population are enjoying a cordial relationship. The military is more open and tolerant of the civilians and we reciprocate this by cementing respect and confidence in the force.

This attribute of our Armed Forces is enough to justify that the institution has not departed from its mission statement “Contribution to humanity”. The just inaugurated fishing boat will go a long way to complement the daily meal of the people as fish and fish products can be really available at the doorsteps of the consumer.

The commander-in–chief, His Excellency President Jammeh has vowed to build not only a modern military but also an Army of the people. Such activities of the institution, are a manifestation that we have an Army of the people, for the people and with the people.
We hope that the other units in our security services will learn from the armed forces so that collectively, we can liberate the country from underdevelopment.

It is only when each and every sector takes up its own responsibility that we can harvest the seed of development we have sown. Once again, bravo Armed Forces for proving to us that you are in the service of nation building.