ECOMIG commander speaks

By Lamin Cham Major General François Ndiaye, the head of the Ecowas mission in Gambia, ECOMIG, yesterday clarified that his mission is not a military invasion, intervention, peace keeping or occupation force, but rather a peace mission. He said the mission was prepared and packaged in Abuja by West African leaders with the mandate of ensuring that peace and security is maintained in the Gambia for the population as well as the protection of the political leaders of the country under the new dispensation. He said this includes ensuring that the elected President Barrow is installed as the country’s new president and the environment is created for his government to operate. Ndiaye further clarified that ECOMIG is not here to stay but its duration may depend on how long the president may wish them to stay. The ECOMIG leader praised the Chief Defense Staff of the Gambia Armed Force General Ousman Badjie, who he said has been consulted and he and his officers and men are working closely with ECOMIG on its mission. ”The Gambia army knows the country more than us and so we consult and work together for the success of the mission and so far we have not got any problem, only good welcome Teranga from our brothers and sisters in the Gambia”, he concluded. The press briefing was attended by DCS Ousman Badjie and his people. ECOMIG consists of troops from Ghana, Mali, Togo, Nigeria and is led by Senegal.]]>