The 34th General Assembly Session of the West African Liaison Office (WALO) yesterday commenced at the Kotu Joint Officers Mess in Kotu. The assembly will discuss matters relating to security and pertinent issues for the consolidation of peace and security in the region, especially in the sub-region.

In his keynote address, Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief Of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, said the session will focus on issues aimed at bridging the gap between various national armed forces through cooperation, trust and true friendship. CDS Col Tamba pointed out that the session will facilitate cooperation and ensure the sharing of military culture and ideas.

CDS Tamba described the Banjul Walo as a “family re-union”, where family matters will be discussed “under the spirit of military exclusive courses in other to avoid friction amongst family members”.

He urged Walo member states to bury the hatch and pave the way forward for the unification of the continent and consolidate cooperation. "Your presence here today” he said, “underscored the political determination and commitment of our sub-regional countries for the construction of the road to security, peace and development for our sub-region. We must as the military, endeavour and perfectly perform our duties in safeguarding our sovereignty and build friendship to maintain hope and peace”.

He then challenged officers of the different national governments towards sub-regional integration.

For his part, Lt Colonel Yankuba Wrewako, President of Walo, commended President Yahya Jammeh and the Gambia Armed Forces for the goodwill to the delegates, despite the difficulties experienced by “our various countries”.

Opening the assembly on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, Sheikh Omar Faye, Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs, said the meeting aimed at strengthening the cooperation of sub-regional militaries and help to build mutual understanding and friendship. “It is certainly no mistake”, he said, “WALO to coordinates or organise military sports as it is, a significant tool in rebuilding societies in post conflict situations”.

SOS Faye informed the assembly that under the dynamic leadership of President Jammeh, the Gambia Armed Forces, has been transformed into a “highly professional and dedicated institution, building the capacity of the military, both in human and material, and that has given a lot of boost to the country”.

Shortly after declaring the session open, awards were presented to three officers of the Gambia Armed Forces for their commitment to Walo. They were Col Lang Tombong Tamba, Captain LFK Jammeh and the permanent secretary Department of State for Defence.

The opening session was attended by representatives of seven West African countries.

Ousman Sonko, Secretary of State for Interior, Francis Gomez, Mayor of KMC, and Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, attended the opening ceremony.