Omar Bah
The Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia, Ismail Yuceer, Monday said his country was committed to intensifying its support of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) in the areas of training and logistics.
He made this promise during a presentation of military materials such as dress uniform for private, cartridge belts, old styled, water bottles with aluminum and tents to GAF at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul.
“We will intensify our support to the Gambia Armed Forces with the new dispensation in the Gambia…So that in the near future our brothers and sisters in the Gambia Army will have more training opportunities in Turkey,” he said.
Ambassador Yuceer said the cooperation between Turkey and The Gambia Armed Forces started far back in the 90s.
He said the first military cooperation scheme his government had with The Gambia government was in the military field and that since then 1500 Gambian military officers have been trained in Turkey.
“The cooperation has taken a different shape in recent years and now we have cooperation in the areas of logistical support. Within this framework every year Turkey will provide GAF with logistical assistance with the exceptions of arms,” he added.
Meanwhile, the deputy Chief of Defence staff, Yankuba Drammeh thanked the Turkish government on behalf of the Gambian military.
“Our relationship is sustained based on mutual understanding,” he added.
He said the donation came at a time when The Gambia Armed Forces is going through transformation.
