Sergeant Modou Saine, a serving member of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), has formally requested to be discharged from service. The GAF, however, has refuted claims related to his request, stating the information is inaccurate. PRO Sanyang said, "The purported information is inaccurate, misleading, and lacks factual basis." This statement directly addresses the allegations made by Sergeant Saine. Sanyang added that the military operates within established ethics, procedures, and codes of conduct applicable to all personnel. He further stated, "In that regard, the GAF High Command continues to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with established military standards of discipline, professionalism, and decorum across all formations and units under command."
Sgt Saine's Allegations
Sergeant Modou Saine has accused the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Mamat Cham, of unlawful detention. Saine further alleged that interference, unrelated to professional grounds, led to his transfer to army headquarters to serve as a secretary. He stated that this transfer stemmed from interference within the CDS's family, explicitly claiming his posting was not based on professional considerations. The sergeant claimed that D58,000, which is currently in question, represented his personal funds spent on assignments given to him by CDS Cham. Saine asserted that he maintains multiple and reliable records documenting every transaction the CDS instructed him to undertake, providing a detailed account of his financial dealings on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Detention and Release Details
Sergeant Modou Saine alleged he was illegally detained on the orders of Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Mamat Cham. Saine stated that Cham accused him of failing to hand over D58,000, which was claimed to be imprest from the CDS’s office. Saine, who had served as Personal Assistant to the CDS since 2018, countered that the D58,000 represented his personal funds. He asserted that after presenting records, all parties confirmed the money was his and subsequently returned it to him. Saine further stated he holds a signed document from all officials involved, confirming he did not take any money and that his detention was therefore illegal. Following his detention, Saine was posted to army headquarters as a clerk. He was released on the night of April 22, an action ordered by National Security Adviser Abubakarr Suleiman Jeng.
GAF's Official Response
The Gambia Armed Forces Spokesperson Malick Sanyang rejected the allegations as "false and malicious" after The Standard forwarded Mr Saine's claims to the GAF Public Relations office. GAF stated the military institution operates within clearly established ethics, administrative procedures, and codes of conduct. The institution further clarified that there is no situation arising from the matter that undermines operational focus, command cohesion, or the routine functioning of the High Command. This assertion from the GAF aims to reassure the public and military personnel about the stability of the command structure. Malick Sanyang emphasized that the military leadership remains committed to upholding its responsibilities in line with established standards of discipline and professionalism across all units.
Broader Context and Implications
Sergeant Saine has accused Lieutenant General Mamat Cham of personally benefiting from boats seized during anti-migration operations, claiming one such vessel has been converted into the Chief of Defence Staff's personal fishing boat. Saine stated, "These include loans he sent me to receive from businessmen totalling hundreds of thousands of dalasis; a boat seized from migrant operators now turned into his personal fishing boat etc." Saine formally requested to be discharged from the army, and this request has since been approved. He expressed a desire to clear unresolved assignments undertaken on behalf of the CDS, including several loans amounting to hundreds of thousands of dalasis. Saine emphasized, "I was directed by the CDS to act on his behalf and I have records of all of them. I want these loans settled and all transactions legalised, since I am now leaving the army." The Gambia Armed Forces' official response did not specifically address these allegations raised by Sergeant Saine regarding seized boats or loans. The GAF response also did not address the specific allegations of personal benefit or interference from the CDS's family.