The Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Masaneh N Kinteh returns triumphant from the first ever forum on China-Africa Defence and Security organized by the International College of Defence Studies of the National Defence University of the People’s Republic of China. The forum draws under one umbrella Security Chiefs and senior military officers from more than fifty (50) African countries including a representative from the AU on the theme “work together and assist each other”. The objective of the forum is to widen China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation, the consolidation as well as elevating the level of military cooperation between China and Africa. 
As part of engagements marking the forum, eleven (11) military course slots from the ranks of soldier to General have been allocated to GAF. The first beneficiaries of this important milestone development will depart the Gambia in September for further training in China. This slots will grant beneficiaries more capacity and competence to serve. The CDS also took the opportunity to meet with the Gambia Ambassador and had discussions key amongst which was the plans to deploy a Defence Attaché so as to coordinate Defence cooperation with China. The CDS was opportune to meet with his counterparts from other African countries including Chinese diplomats. 
The CDS, during his Weekly brief session, announced that the trip was a fruitful one. Citing that he was able to secure a contract deal with state owned military cooperatives for the supplying of military logistics required for GAF. The contract deal will be finalized between GAF and NORINCO. The contract will end the “middlemen’’ acting between GAF and the Chinese suppliers of military equipment and uniform. This will enhance the supplying of quality goods at lesser cost and timely delivery he intimated.
