Over 500 police and military personnel on Saturday concluded a 21-day training programme under the British Military Advisory and Training Team.

The training is in preparation for their possible deployment to the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur. Presently, 196 military personnel and 96 civil police are on standby to Darfur.

Speaking to the trainees at the end of their course, Lieutenant John Perres, the commanding officer, thanked the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) for making the training a successful one. He added that Britain will continue rendering assistance to The Gambia.

According to him, both the military and police forces demonstrated professionalism. He emphasised that the training was basically on day-to-day rotational operations and professional tactics.

The representative of the chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Biran Saine, said that GAF will continue to be involved in peacekeeping in the world. He maintained that this kind of training is relevant as it helps peacekeepers in their daily activities. 

He further thanked the commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, President Jammeh, for his dynamism. The occasion was graced by the acting British high commissioner, Susan Monti Gomery and other dignitaries.