By Amadou Jadama on tour
Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ousman Gomez, has warned officers of the Police Intervention Unit to remain neutral, and stay away from politics and tribalism, and focus on serving all Gambians as the country prepares for the December 5 presidential election.
General Gomez issued the warning yesterday while addressing PIU officers in YBK in the Central River region as part of his nationwide tour of military institutions across the country.
“The advice I have for my men is the same advice I have for you,” General Gomez said.
“We are getting into elections, and most of you will be deployed on election duties. That does not mean you give your support to a particular political party,” he warned.
The CDS acknowledged that security personnel have voting rights. However, he cautioned them against engaging in partisan activities while in uniform.
“You have the right to vote since you have voter’s cards. But let us desist from open partisan show of politics. We are here to serve the country and the interest of all Gambians, and not any political party,” he stated.
“At the last elections, security was provided for all the political parties in the country. But that does not warrant you to campaign and stand on podiums in your uniforms. The uniform is here to serve the country.”
The army chief also flagged tribalism as another challenge facing the security sector and urged officers to put national unity above ethnic loyalty.
“As service men, your tribe should be your uniforms. That is why we all put on these uniforms. The tribal sentiment should not come from us. We are all one family as long as we all wear these uniforms,” he postulated.
The CDS further urged PIU officers to work closely with personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces and other sister security services, stressing that “there is no competition in their work”.
He also implored on them to desist from using social media to comment on partisan politics or internal security matters.