Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, has called for collective and coordinated efforts in the fight against terrorism, stressing that modern security threats cannot be addressed by any single country acting alone.
He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training program for GAF personnel, organized by the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition (IMCTC).
The training forms part of IMCTC’s strategic initiatives in the military domain under the “Competence” pillar, designed to strengthen the operational capacities of member states.
CDS Cham said, “The security environment we operate in today is complex and constantly evolving. Terrorism, violent extremism, and the widespread use of both conventional and improvised explosive devices continue to pose serious risks to states, security forces, and civilian populations,” he said.
“These threats do not respect borders and cannot be addressed by any country acting alone,” he added.
CDS Cham noted that it was against this backdrop that the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition was established to promote cooperation, coordinate efforts, and support member states through practical capacity-building, training, and operational logistics support.
He reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to the coalition, describing the country as a proud and active member of IMCTC.
The CDS described the EOD training as one of several engagements undertaken with IMCTC, following a recently concluded counterterrorism program hosted in The Gambia.
He further stated that the Gambia Armed Forces continues to evolve as a professional, disciplined, and responsive military institution, with responsibilities extending beyond conventional defense to include internal security support, counterterrorism operations, and participation in regional and international peace and security initiatives.
According to him, meeting these responsibilities requires continuous training and exposure to specialized skills relevant to modern security operations.
“Explosive Ordnance Disposal is one of the most demanding and sensitive areas of military operations. Whether in counterterrorism tasks, peace support operations, or support to civil authorities, EOD capability is critical to force protection and public safety,” CDS Cham said.
He added that the training directly addresses an operational requirement within the Gambia Armed Forces and enhances its ability to protect lives, critical national infrastructure, and social stability.
“The training you are about to undertake is therefore of great importance to our national security deliverables,” he told participants.
CDS Cham also reminded the officers and soldiers selected for the programme of the seriousness of their responsibility, noting that EOD work demands discipline, patience, technical precision, and strict adherence to established procedures. The consequences of any misstep could be catastrophic.
IMCTC Commends Gambia’s Commitment
Speaking on behalf of the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition, the Secretary General, Major General Mohammed bin Saeed Almoghedi, commended The Gambia’s commitment to the global fight against terrorism.
He said the presence of CDS Cham at the ceremony underscored the depth of partnership and coordination between The Gambia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confronting terrorism and extremism in all their forms.
“Terrorism recognizes no borders, makes no distinction between people, and targets human security and the stability of societies worldwide,” Major General Almoghedi said.
He described The Gambia as an active member of IMCTC and a key contributor to international counterterrorism efforts, adding that the country continues to play a pivotal role in addressing emerging security threats.
Major General Almoghedi said IMCTC firmly believes that cooperation and solidarity among member states remain the most effective means of confronting terrorism efficiently and effectively.
He outlined the coalition’s broader objectives, which include strengthening intellectual and media capacities, combating the financing of terrorism, and enhancing military capabilities across member states.
In addition, he said IMCTC offers a range of initiatives aimed at capacity building and the training of specialists to improve the readiness of institutions responsible for counterterrorism.
“Under the auspices of His Excellency the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of The Gambia, we are delighted to launch the second training program under the strategic ‘Competence’ initiative in the military domain,” he said.
Major General Almoghedi added that the initiative builds on IMCTC’s earlier engagements in The Gambia, including the launch in November 2025 of a military training programme under the “Competence” counterterrorism operations framework, alongside a parallel course titled Military Techniques for Counter Terrorism.
