By Ebi Kesiena
Lieutenant General Mamat Cham has resigned as Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambian Armed Forces following allegations of misconduct and abuse of office, prompting President Adama Barrow to appoint a new acting military chief.
A statement issued by the Presidency on Friday confirmed that President Barrow had accepted Cham’s resignation, which took immediate effect.
According to the statement, the outgoing military chief acknowledged in his resignation letter that his decision was influenced by a series of allegations of misconduct and abuse of office that were deemed inconsistent with the responsibilities and standards of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
The Presidency did not provide further details regarding the nature of the allegations but noted that Cham voluntarily stepped down amid the controversy.
In response to the development, President Barrow appointed Major General Ousman Gomez as Acting Chief of Defence Staff with immediate effect.
Major General Gomez previously served as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff at the Army Headquarters in Banjul and is expected to oversee the affairs of the armed forces pending any substantive appointment.
The Presidency stated that the appointment was made in accordance with Section 190 of the Gambian Constitution, which empowers the President to make such appointments within the military hierarchy.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, General Cham expressed appreciation to President Barrow for the trust and confidence placed in him during his tenure as the country’s ninth Chief of Defence Staff.
“General Cham also thanked President Barrow for the confidence reposed in him during his tenure as the country’s ninth Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement said.
