The seventh Gambian contingent (GAMCOY 7), comprising 196 members of the Gambia Armed Forces, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sainey Bayo, left Gambian soil at 5:00 am this morning, for the Sudanese troubled region of Darfur. The latest contingent includes five female soldiers.

The contingent will replace Gamcoy 6, whose tour of duty has been successfully completed, following their deployment in December, 2007.

Shortly before their departure, Vice-President Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, bade farewell to the contingent on behalf of the President Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh. Ex-president, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, secretaries of state, Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, the chief of Defence Staff of GAF, security chiefs, NAMs, foreign diplomats, families, friends and well wishers, also gathered at the July 22nd Square to bade farewell to the soldiers.

Delivering a farewell statement, Vice-President Njie-Saidy, said a quick solution to the conflict in Darfur has not readily cometo hand, inspite of the sustained international peace efforts. However, she maintained that there is no reason to despair.

"In this regard, my government's commitment to fulfill its obligations to the charter and principles of the AU/UN, and the Gambia Armed Forces' readiness to participate in peacekeeping endeavours, has been relentless. This trend will continue until peace is achieved and normalcy finally restored in this troubled region," VP Njie-Saidy told the officers and men of GAMCOY 7.

"In this context, your role in this humanitarian endeavour is of great significance and importance, as you will not only ensure the security and freedom of movement of the people in your area of responsibility, but your presence will also bring hope to a people who have been greatly deprived of their fundamental rights and freedoms as human beings", she highlighted.

The vice-president also advised the contingent to take every precaution to protect themselves from all ills not associated with active duty, especially communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

"I have no doubt in my mind that the training that you had undergone, has raised your awareness and enhanced your understanding of the risks and challenges that you will be encountering in the mission area. The nation has confidence in your capabilities and self-esteem," she added.

"On this note, I wish to bid you farewell and pray that Almighty God protects and guide you all," she concluded.

For his part, Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, the chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), said history is being made as GAF recounts with great pride the numerous achievements that it has made in mission areas since 1989, when troops, as protection force, were deployed in military operations in Liberia and subsequently Guinea Bissau in 1999, Liberia for a second time in 2003 and now Darfur.

Major General Tamba revealed that currently, there are 232 Gambian officers and soldiers serving overseas, adding that this represents a huge contribution to peacekeeping efforts by the country.

CDS Tamba also extended his compliments on behalf of the president and commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, to the government and people of UK, the Republic of France, Turkey, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the United States of America, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of China on Taiwan and all others, for their diverse contribution towards the advancement of the Gambia Armed Forces. He urged the contingent to maintain peace and perform up to expectation.