President Barrow confirms Ousman Gomez as Chief of Defence Staff

Published by: The Fatu Network

President Adama Barrow yesterday confirmed Major General Ousman Gomez as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), formally removing his acting status as part of a wider reshuffle of the military’s senior leadership. Gomez had been serving as Acting CDS since the resignation of Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham earlier this month following allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.

The appointment was announced in a press dispatch from the Office of the President, which said the changes take immediate effect under powers vested in the President by Section 190(1A) of the 1997 Constitution. The reshuffle also saw Brigadier General Sait Njie appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Yaya Drammeh named Commander of The Gambia National Army, and Colonel Alhagie Sanneh recalled from The Gambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York to serve as Commander of the Republican National Guards.

Major General Gomez brings decades of military, legal and peacekeeping experience to the country’s highest military office. During his career, he has served as Commander of The Gambia National Army, Force Provost Marshal, Head of the Legal Department, Commanding Officer of the 2 Infantry Battalion and Officer in Charge of the Tourism Security Unit, among several other command and staff appointments. He also served as Aide-de-Camp to former President Yahya Jammeh.

Beyond his national service, Gomez has represented The Gambia in several international peacekeeping missions, including as Deputy Commander and Military Observer with the African Union Mission in Sudan, Platoon Commander with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), and Company Commander with the ECOWAS Standby Force in Burkina Faso.

Academically, the new CDS holds a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the International Christian University in Japan, a Master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science from Pakistan’s National Defence University, and a Bachelor of Laws and Barrister-at-Law qualification from the University of The Gambia and the Gambian Law School.