During a 2015 peacekeeping mission in Darfur, the author encountered Abdou Goudiaby, a Senegalese officer, who later provided assistance during a transit. Mr. Goudiaby and his colleagues stopped at the author's team site in Mukjar, according to the author. The author also recounted meeting Mr. Goudiaby at 1 AM in an arrival lounge during heavy rain. In a separate instance demonstrating loyalty, Ansumana Kinteh waited for the author at the Banjul terminal and drove him home. Mr. Goudiaby emphasized the nature of their bond, stating, "That’s what brothers do." This sentiment shows a narrative of personal connections transcending formal organizational structures within the security services.
A Chance Encounter in Darfur
The author's deployment placed him at the Mukjar Team Site in Darfur, while Abdou Goudiaby served with the Senegalese Formed Police Unit based in Nertiti, Central Darfur. This initial meeting occurred in 2015, during the course of their respective duties within the peacekeeping mission. Despite their separate assignments and the vast operational area of Darfur, a significant connection between them was noted, with both individuals sharing the same surname. This shared identity, coupled with their professional roles in the security services, laid the groundwork for a unique bond. Mr. Goudiaby reportedly emphasized the strong bond between them during an interaction with the author, particularly when he and his colleagues stopped at the author's team site in Mukjar during a transit. "That’s what brothers do," Mr. Goudiaby stated, referring to the mutual support and loyalty demonstrated between them, a statement that would later resonate with future events. This early interaction established a foundation of trust and camaraderie that proved to be enduring.
Stranded and Unanswered
The author pursued his master’s degree in the United Kingdom, concluding his studies in December 2019. The completion of his academic program, however, did not immediately herald a return home. Following the conclusion of his studies, the author endured an extended five-month stay in the United Kingdom due to the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 lockdowns and grounded flights. This period of unforeseen delay left the author in a precarious situation, far from home and facing significant logistical hurdles. During this protracted period, the author informed the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) about his predicament, seeking guidance and assistance from his own department. The author's request for pickup arrangements from Dakar, Senegal, a critical transit point for return, went unanswered by the IGP's office. This lack of official support left the author to navigate the complexities of international travel during a global pandemic largely on his own. Instead of providing assistance with travel or facilitating his return, the IGP's office advised the author to find his own way home, placing the onus entirely on him during a time of widespread travel disruption.
A Brother's Promise
Faced with the daunting task of arranging his own passage home from the United Kingdom, the author recalled the earlier connection forged in Darfur. He contacted Abdou Goudiaby to inquire about Senegal’s entry requirements, a key first step in his journey back to Gambia. Mr. Goudiaby, a Senegalese officer, responded to this call for help, demonstrating the depth of the personal bond they shared. He subsequently coordinated with a colleague at the airport to facilitate the author's immigration process upon his arrival in Dakar, streamlining what could have been a complicated and lengthy procedure during a period of heightened international travel restrictions. This proactive assistance was invaluable. The author recounted a specific instance of Mr. Goudiaby's dedication, meeting him at the arrival lounge at 1 AM under heavy rain, a testament to his commitment. Mr. Goudiaby then personally drove the author to the Karan border, ensuring his safe crossing into Gambia. This act of personal commitment went far beyond the call of official duty, illustrating the profound impact of individual loyalty.
Mr. Goudiaby's actions followed a period during which the author had been stranded in the United Kingdom due to COVID-19 lockdowns, with his requests for assistance from the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Gambia reportedly going unanswered. The IGP's office had advised the author to make his own way home after a five-month extended stay following the completion of his master's degree in December 2019. The contrast between the official response and Mr. Goudiaby's personal intervention was stark. The assistance provided by Mr. Goudiaby showed a personal bond, which he had previously articulated with the powerful phrase, "That’s what brothers do." Earlier, during a 2015 peacekeeping mission in Darfur, the author had encountered Mr. Goudiaby, who later provided support during a transit, including stopping at the author's team site in Mukjar. Mr. Goudiaby had emphasized the nature of their connection then, stating, "That’s what brothers do." This sentiment was reportedly reiterated during their interactions in Senegal, noting the mutual support demonstrated between them and reinforcing the idea that such personal loyalties can bridge geographical distances and institutional gaps.
Homecoming and Mentorship
The journey home was further facilitated by Mr. Goudiaby's unwavering support. Abdou Goudiaby offered to pick the author up from Dakar’s airport and drive him to the Karan border, an action he described as demonstrating a personal bond. "That’s what brothers do," Mr. Goudiaby stated, reinforcing the sentiment of mutual support that had defined their relationship since their initial meeting in Darfur. This gesture was a key moment in the author's challenging return. Meanwhile, back in Gambia, Ansumana Kinteh, a Gambian officer and a significant mentor to the author, took the initiative to welcome the author home upon his return. Mr. Kinteh's role extended beyond a simple welcome; he actively engaged in facilitating the author's final leg of the journey. Mr. Kinteh further demonstrated his commitment by calling the Amdalai Border Crossing Point to arrange assistance for the author as he navigated his return, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition back into his home country. The author had served eleven years in his department prior to these events, a period during which the mentorship and professional relationships, such as that with Mr. Kinteh, were clearly cultivated. The combined efforts of Abdou Goudiaby and Ansumana Kinteh exemplify how personal loyalty and professional mentorship can provide key support, particularly when official channels are unable or unwilling to assist, noting the enduring power of human connection within the framework of security services.