Officials from the Gambian security forces, Thursday June 4th, 2009 gathered in Banjul to bid farewell to 96 officers from different units of the country's security forces who are on their way on a UN peace keeping mission in the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur, at a ceremony presided over by Ousman Sonko, secretary of state for the Interior.

The farewell ceremony which was held at the Police Headquarters in Banjul, was attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Essa Badjie; Lt. Colonel Yankuba Drammeh, Chief of the Army Staff; Sakour Drammeh, director of Immigration, among other senior officers of the various security units.

In his statement, SoS Ousman Sonko urged the departing officers to consider one another as brothers and people of the same country serving the same mission. He emphasised the need for the officers to demonstrate respect for cultures, norms and traditions of the host country. "Utmost discipline is expected from all of you and remember that you are going not as individuals but to represent a nation and whatever an individual does, good or bad, it will only bear bad name for the country. As good and patriotic Gambians, you should be loyal to yourselves. You have been chosen out of thousands to serve your country. You should fulfill your obligations, SoS Sonko stated.

The Interior secretary of state thanked the Gambian leader for being always supportive to peace initiative and also for his effort in transforming the country's security apparatus into standard one. He reminded the departing officers that there would be no tolerance in the call for extension of services, noting that SAT qualification has a limited period, and that extension may lead to the expiration of SAT. He urged them not to consider lobbying for extension so as to allow their colleagues in the waiting list to enjoy the same opportunities.

For his part, IGP Essa noted that based on reports sent from the mission areas, Gambian officers have always executed their duties with integrity and high standard of professionalism. This, he said, clearly indicates the "sense of responsibility and commitment of our personnel in the implementation of mission mandates."  And he added, "as such I urged you to keep the flag of the country in higher height in ensuring the inscription of the nation of our beloved nation in the history books of peace keeping." According to IGP Badjie, the coming of the July 22nd Revolution has created an opportunity for Gambian security personnel to involve in peacekeeping missions, and he noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of personnel of his police institution and other security service serving various peacekeeping missions throughout the world.

Emphasizing the point earlier raised by SoS Sonko, the IGP said he would not entertain any request of extension of service on peacekeeping mission, noting that once their tour of duty ends they should be ready to be succeeded. In the words of the IGP: "Unity is the only way that can help a nation to achieve its aims and objectives, which include the protection of the citizenry.

Lt. Colonel Yankuba Drammeh, chief of Army Staff, who deputized for the chief of defence staff, Major General Lang Tombomg Tamba, challenged the departing officers to serve their mission very well, urging them to maintain discipline and ensure keeping the country's flag high. He warned against acts of misconducts, which he said may hamper their mission during their tour of duty.

The Gambia has a good reputation in peacekeeping missions, he said, urging the men to maintain the same spirit. Sakour Drammeh, director general of Immigration; Momodou Hydara, deputy director of NIA; and Famara Jammeh, police adviser, all spoke at the ceremony. ASP Sulayman Secka, public relations officer of The Gambia Police Force, chaired the ceremony.