Gambia’s President Warns Disloyal Soldiers!!!

As Jammeh Promote Dozens Of Army Officers

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has warned members of the country’s  armed forces , who are hungry for power to consider giving up, as he puts it “ No one can fool me. Any attempt to undermine my leadership would be dealt with severely.”  Jammeh was speaking during the promotion of some officers of Gambia’s armed forces.  The President calls on the soldiers to be loyal to him, and The Gambia.

According to the pro-government newspaper the Daily Observer  “The promoted officers include Staff Sergeant Momodou Jallow, who has been promoted to the rank of Captain, whilst Captain Bora Colley, Captain Badjie, Captain Amadou Joof, Captain Ensa Tamba, Lieutenant Arafang, Captain Alhagie Sanneh and Captain Njagga Sanneh, were all promoted to the rank of major.”

Major Arthur Gomez, Major Yero Jallow, Major Ismaila Sanyang, Major Kawsu Camara, Major Hina Sambou, Major Mariama Sonko, Captain Arabiatou Badjie, Major Mam Matarr Secka, Major Ma Lamin Jarjue, Major Alhagie Martin and Major Umpa Mendy were all promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Lieutenant Colonel Madani Senghore, Lieutenant Colonel Momodou Sowe, Lieutenant Colonel Lamin Bojang, Lieutenant Colonel Gibriel Bojang, Lieutenant Colonel Serign Modou Njie, and Major Rabiatou BK Sanneh were all promoted to the rank of Colonel, whilst Lieutenant Colonel Sillah Kujabi, Lieutenant Colonel Sarjo Fofana, Major Saikou Seckan, Lieutenant Colonel Ousman Badjie, Lieutenant Colonel Omar Bun Mbaye, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrima Bah and Lieutenant Colonel Yakuba Drammeh, were promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

The climax of the promotion was at the ranks of the senior army officers, with Colonel Masanneh Kinteh, deputy Chief of Defence Staff, promoted to Major General and Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff, promoted to Lieutenant General.

                    Disgruntled Soldiers React

None of the promoted officers attended any military academy. The promotion was meant to raise the morale of the military, who are increasingly frustrated due to poor pay, and lack of incentives.

The President is also trying to win the hearts, and minds of the divided military. He thinks that by promoting them, he might be saved from future military coups.

A senior army official said the promotion wouldn’t  save the President from going. He said almost all the members of the armed forces are pissed off with Jammeh, including the promoted officers. He said the hardworking members of the force were being marginalized, and that there was no chain of command in the army. He said the President is violating the army’s  code of ethics, and promotion guidelines. He said none of the promotions were in conformity with the army’s  policies.

“ He is  desperate, and he thinks that by promoting us, his (axxxx)  would be saved. We are no fools to be treated like kids. Imagine, a staff sergeant being promoted to Captain? This is ridiculous. That’s why our standards are falling. You will be surprise to learn that some of the promoted officers were laughing at him during the occasion. You just wait and see what is going to happen to this stupid man calling himself a President,” the officer warned.

According to the army officer, for one to be promoted by the President, he or she must successfully execute a mission for him-be it killing someone, spying, or torturing political opponents.

“ Sanity would soon be returned to  this country.  There is no amount of promotion that  can save Oga. We are not loyal to him at all. This is the message we want to put across. Lt. General Tamba cannot stop us, when we hit at him,” said the army official.

President Jammeh has survived numerous coup attempts. He said soldiers bent on toppling his Government would live to regret it. But the disgruntled soldiers said they are determined to end his regime.