The promotion of peace and security has always been a priority of The Gambia government particularly under the present leadership.

This is why The Gambia wastes no time in sending peace keepers to conflict zones in the African continent. Most recent among these peace keeping missions, is in the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur. As the mandate of the current  peace keeping mission expires, The Gambia Armed Forces is scheduled to replace its 7th peacekeeping contingent in Darfur, Sudan on the 9th of February 2009. The replacing contingent Gamcoy 8, comprising 196 of all ranks, has already started preparations.

There will be the traditional farewell parade on Friday, February 6th, 2009 at the 22nd July Square in Banjul, at 9:00 am.  This parade will give His Excellency the president and commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, the chief of defence staff, officers, friends and family members, the opportunity to not only bid final farewell to the deploying troops, but it will equally provide the troops the opportunity to receive prayers and words of wisdom.

It could be recalled that in June 2008, a similar farewell parade was held for Gamcoy 7, the contingent that is presently in Darfur, at which His Excellency the President, (Rtd) Colonel Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya   Jammeh, was the chief guest of honour. In his capacity as the President of the Republic of The Gambia and commander-in-chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, His Excellency will again grace this auspicious occasion as chief guest of honour.

The general public is invited to witness the farewell parade. The presence of the general public particularly families, friends and love ones would be highly appreciated by the Armed Forces. As this would give them a unique opportunity to interact and pray  for these gallant sons and daughters of our dearest fatherland, The Gambia.