THE ARMED FORCES OF THE GAMBIA AND GUINEA BISSAU SIGN A JOINT COMMUNIQUE TO ENHANCE REGIONAL SECURITY
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau Armed on Thursday 15 October 2026, signed a Joint Communique aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing regional security, and promoting lasting collaboration between the two military institutions. The ceremony was held at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul marking the end of the 2- days working and friendly visit by General of the Army Tomas Djassi, Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau who is also the President of Transitional Council of Bissau.
The signing ceremony brought together the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) GAF, Lieutenant General Osman Gomez and General Djassi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luís Domingos Camará de Barros and military technical delegations from both countries.
Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez described the signing of the Communique as an important milestone in strengthening military relations between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. He highlighted the importance of information sharing, military training, education, and cooperation in addressing common security challenges.
The CDS further highlighted the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration between the two armed forces to promote peace, stability, and security across the region. He reaffirmed his Armed Forces’ commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the agreements outlined in the Communique.
For his part, General of the Army Tomas Djassi, described the signing as an honour and a significant achievement in the continued development of defence cooperation between the two countries.
General Djassi expressed appreciation to the technical delegations from both countries for the excellent work which culminated in the drafting of the Joint Communique. He reiterated the importance of regional coordination, military solidarity, operational exchanges, and professional military development in strengthening the capabilities of both armed forces and nations.
He extended his appreciation to the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow and the Commander-in- Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, and the Gambian people for their continued spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. He reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to implementing the agreements reached and promoting greater professionalism within the two military institutions.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luis Barros, for his part harped on the importance of the Joint Communique as a framework for practical cooperation between the two armed forces. He noted that the agreement would help strengthen the two Armed Forces collective resolve to safeguard their respective nations and respond effectively to shared security concerns.
The signing of the Communique marks a significant step towards deepening defence and security cooperation between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The effective implementation of the Communique is expected to reinforce mutual trust, enhance military professionalism, and consolidate the longstanding and cordial friendship and cooperation between the Gambia Armed Forces and the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces.
The signing ceremony brought together the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) GAF, Lieutenant General Osman Gomez and General Djassi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luís Domingos Camará de Barros and military technical delegations from both countries.
Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez described the signing of the Communique as an important milestone in strengthening military relations between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. He highlighted the importance of information sharing, military training, education, and cooperation in addressing common security challenges.
The CDS further highlighted the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration between the two armed forces to promote peace, stability, and security across the region. He reaffirmed his Armed Forces’ commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the agreements outlined in the Communique.
For his part, General of the Army Tomas Djassi, described the signing as an honour and a significant achievement in the continued development of defence cooperation between the two countries.
General Djassi expressed appreciation to the technical delegations from both countries for the excellent work which culminated in the drafting of the Joint Communique. He reiterated the importance of regional coordination, military solidarity, operational exchanges, and professional military development in strengthening the capabilities of both armed forces and nations.
He extended his appreciation to the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow and the Commander-in- Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, and the Gambian people for their continued spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. He reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to implementing the agreements reached and promoting greater professionalism within the two military institutions.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Luis Barros, for his part harped on the importance of the Joint Communique as a framework for practical cooperation between the two armed forces. He noted that the agreement would help strengthen the two Armed Forces collective resolve to safeguard their respective nations and respond effectively to shared security concerns.
The signing of the Communique marks a significant step towards deepening defence and security cooperation between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The effective implementation of the Communique is expected to reinforce mutual trust, enhance military professionalism, and consolidate the longstanding and cordial friendship and cooperation between the Gambia Armed Forces and the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces.
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