The Gambia?s tenth peacekeeping contingent (GAMCOY 10) comprising of 196 officers of The Gambia Armed Forces were yesterday bade farewell as they left the country for the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur.

This is the tenth Gambian contingent to be deployed to Darfur since the beginning of the Darfur peacekeeping mission in 2004, and the fourth to be deployed under the AU/UN Hybrid Mission. The farewell parade which was held at the 22nd July Square in Banjul was presided over by the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, who is also the chairperson of the National Security Council.

In her farewell statement on behalf of the president of the Republic and commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, VP Njie-Saidy called on the troops to be focused and uphold the greatest discipline and integrity while in Darfur. She told the officers that their predecessors (GAMCOY 9) who will be returning Monday, have done extremely well in maintaining the reputation of The Gambia, and have shown high standard of professionalism that GAF is known for. "As you depart, the whole Gambian people will join your families in prayer to wish you God's protection and guidance", she said, adding "on your part, you must take every precaution to protect yourselves from all ills especially communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS". While expressing confidence on the departing soldiers, VP Njie-Saidy said she is confident that the training they recived have raised their awareness and understanding on the risks they will be encountering during the mission. "The nation has confidence in your capabilities and self-esteem," she assured them.

She told them to always have it in mind that their presence in the troubled Sudanese region will bring hope to people who have been greatly deprived of their fundamental rights and freedom as human beings. She however, observed that recent developments in that part of Africa have given hope for peace once again, citing the Chadian president's recent state visit to Sudan, where both leaders publicly declared that there are no problems between the two countries and acknowledged the pressing need for peace for their people.

VP Njie-Saidy further told officers of GAMCOY 10 that their challenges will be daunting as Sudan is poised to hold its presidential elections and the referendum for its southern province next year. While dwelling on Gambia government's commitment to fulfilling its obligations to the charter and principles of the AU/UN and The Gambia Armed Force's readiness to participate in the peacekeeping endeavours, the vice president re-assured the departing officers of government and Gambian peoples' support and prayers at all times.

Also addressing the troops, Lieutenant General Ma-Sanneh Kinteh, the chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of The Gambia Armed Forces said the ceremony will give family members and every Gambian mixed feelings, but that all should be comforted by the fact that they are leaving for a humanitarian and peace support mission. The Darfur mission, the CDS said, is one of the most difficult in terms of its complexity, which has even led to some grave human right abuses, including systematic and widespread murder, rape, abduction as well as looting and forced displacement of people.

Gen Kinteh reminded the departing officers that they must understand that they are going to operate in a multinational environment where they will come in contact with different people from different backgrounds and orientations. He urged them to note that there will be variations in language, military customs and tradition while on their mission in Darfur. ''Therefore, you  need to be tolerant, tactful and polite in the way you relate to your peers from different countries", he said and added: "You must have respect for all those you come in contact with and be willing to share experience and treat personnel from other contingents as your comrades and partners and not enemies."

He also advised them to work as a team saying "you are going as a team which is expected to serve collectively as a contingent. Be your brother's and sister's keepers and always listen and counsel each other in your day-to-day pursuits, mission and other commitments. Be united and always reflect on your national anthem at all times".

He finally assured the troops that they have gained the blessings and support of President Jammeh and the entire Gambia people for their mission in Sudan.