Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – In a recent development, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed General Magatte Ndiaye, the former commander of the Gambia’s ECOWAS Intervention Force (ECOMIG), as the new Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Army. General Ndiaye replaces General Souleymane Kandé, who has been reassigned to the Senegalese foreign service as a military attaché at the Senegalese Embassy in New Delhi, India.
However, General Ndiaye’s assumption of his new role may be delayed. According to Senegalese military sources, General Kandé plans to challenge President Faye’s decree in the Supreme Court. General Kandé views his reassignment as a “humiliation,” suggesting it is an unwarranted sanction. He intends to appeal the decision to have it overturned.
General Souleymane Kandé, known for his successful efforts in pacifying the Casamance region as Comzone, dismantled major MFDC bases and facilitated the return of long-exiled populations. His search operations initially faced resistance from his superiors, including the then Chief of General Staff, Birame Diop. However, President Macky Sall intervened to provide Kandé with the necessary support. Unlike his predecessors, Kandé actively led his men on the ground, earning him a reputation for bravery.
Despite his achievements, Kandé faced apparent resentment within the military hierarchy, which led to his name being overlooked for promotions. President Sall had to personally ensure Kandé’s nomination. Kandé later held dual roles as Chief of Staff of the Army and head of the Army Special Forces, playing a crucial role in border security.
Recently, Kandé was appointed to a third-level embassy in New Delhi, a move perceived as a demotion or sanction, given his rank and capabilities. This reassignment, viewed as unjust, suggests underlying tensions and possible punitive actions against Kandé within the military leadership.
Meanwhile, prior to his new appointment, General Magatte Ndiaye served as the Inspector of Armies and Operations at the General Inspectorate of the Armed Forces (IGFA). His distinguished career includes commanding the ECOMIG forces in The Gambia, which played a crucial role in ensuring the peaceful transition of power to Adama Barrow following the 2016 presidential election. The ECOWAS force’s intervention was pivotal after former President Yahya Jammeh refused to accept his electoral defeat.
Beyond his role in The Gambia, General Ndiaye’s military experience extends to operations in Guinea-Bissau, Burundi, Darfur, and Mali, highlighting his extensive and diverse military background.
As the situation unfolds, the Senegalese military and political spheres are closely monitoring the developments and their implications for the leadership of the country’s armed forces.
