A contingent of 36 Gambia Armed Forces,(GAF), officers led by Lt. Col. Lamin Bojang, Commanding Officer Guards Batallion, Fajara Barracks yesterday left for Ziguinchor, to attend the 48th Independence Anniversary Celebrations of Senegal, slated for tomorrow.

The contingent included 32 female soldiers and 4 Officers of the GAF.

Addressing the Officers and soldiers of GAF at a ceremony held at the Fajara Barracks shortly before their departure, Lt. Col. Lamin Bojang, on behalf of Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, chief of defence staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, said this is the first time that members of the Armed Forces are sent to participate in an overseas parade .The well grounded Lt. Col Bojang told the contingent to maintain their gallantry although their professionalism is second to none in the sub-region.

Lt. Col. Bojang also thanked the Gambian leader President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, Commander-in-chief of The Gambia Armed Forces and Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, for their unflinching support to GAF.

He noted that the initiative will also help in strengthening the already existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

For his part, Captain Alhaji Sanneh, public relations officer (PRO) of The Gambia Armed Forces, who also double as the Military Assistant to Major General Tamba said GAF leadership has signed a, memorandum of understanding with their Senegalese counterparts, to promote and strengthen the existing bilateral relationship that the two has been enjoying.

Captain Sanneh described the initiative as a good move and advised the soldiers to maintain a high sense of discipline.

Captain Fatou Jaiteh Baldeh, one of the officers in the contingent assured that they will measure to expectation.