On Wednesday, Sering Modou Njie, The Gambia’s Minister of Defence, responded to concerns expressed in Parliament about the government’s plan to send Gambian troops to participate in a peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone.
In a parliamentary session, Yahya Sanyang, the representative for Latrikunda Sabiji, raised concerns regarding how this deployment corresponds with wider regional security goals and what particular threats it seeks to address. He also asked if the action aimed to strengthen the Sierra Leonean president’s grip on power instead of tackling security issues.
Minister Njie highlighted The Gambia’s dedication to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), noting that the organisation had decided to create a standby force aimed at addressing terrorism, unconstitutional changes in government, and regional instability.
“ECOWAS has committed to deploying a stabilisation force in Sierra Leone following the attempted coup, and the Gambia has also pledged a motorised company to support the ECOWAS mission in Sierra Leone, contributing to regional peace and security,” he stated.
Bakary Badjie, a representative from Foni Bintang, pressed the minister for more clarity, questioning the capability of Sierra Leone’s military to protect its own leadership.
Njie emphasised that The Gambia’s involvement is a component of a wider ECOWAS initiative, rather than an isolated action. “It is up to Sierra Leone to determine whether its own defence and security forces are capable of providing the necessary security,” he stated.
He indicated that, in accordance with ECOWAS mandates, they have engaged a company to assist the troops in the stabilisation mission.
In response to a question regarding the government’s rationale for sending personnel for peacekeeping missions abroad while also hosting peacekeepers domestically, the minister stated that there are no limitations that would prevent a country benefiting from a peacekeeping operation from simultaneously contributing to another mission. He stated, “Certainly, we can support other missions under the auspices of ECOWAS.”
The minister informed parliament that no troops had been deployed to Sierra Leone as of yet when asked about the government’s actions regarding the matter.
He stated that the ECOWAS Commission and the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff were presently convening in Abuja to finalise the arrangements for the deployment of the ECOWAS stabilisation force.
On September 17, 2024, the National Assembly sanctioned the deployment of the Gambian Armed Forces to assist in restoring peace, security, and stability in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow presented the motion to lawmakers, highlighting that the deployment was intended to assist the ECOWAS joint operation in stabilising Sierra Leone after a recent attempted coup.
