The Minister of Defence, Honourable Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Mamat OA Cham, and the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) High Command at Defence Headquarters as part of his nationwide familiarization tour.

The visit aimed to strengthen civil-military relations and provide the Minister with firsthand insight into the operations, conditions, and challenges of the Armed Forces. The CDS welcomed the Minister and reaffirmed the GAF’s commitment to constitutional loyalty, civilian oversight, and institutional reform, while highlighting the need for improved training, revised Terms and Conditions of Service, and enhanced logistical support.

In his remarks, Minister Joof emphasized the Ministry’s oversight role and the importance of institutional development, sound policy guidance, and sustainable defence governance in building a professional and modern Armed Forces.

The engagement concluded with a briefing on the state and future priorities of the GAF and the handing-over of five tractors donated by Albayra Turkish Agri-Business Company to the GAF Agricultural Taskforce, facilitated by the Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia.