Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it describes as “unethical” and “misleading” public commentary by two prominent figures—retired military commander Samsudeen Sarr and politician Essa Mbaye Faal—accusing them of misrepresenting the role and professionalism of the Armed Forces.

In the statement signed by Colonel Lamin K. Sanyang, Director of Press and Public Relations for GAF, the military expressed deep concern over what it sees as a growing trend of irresponsible commentary about its operations and conduct. GAF warned that such narratives could erode public confidence and threaten national security.

The military’s rebuke comes in response to recent remarks by Mr. Sarr, who referred to a theft incident involving Senegalese gendarmes under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), and questioned the deployment of GAF infantry soldiers at strategic security points such as Denton Bridge. GAF described his statements as “framed in a manner that seeks to misrepresent” its apolitical stance and ongoing reforms.

Mr. Faal, a former TRRC lead counsel and declared presidential aspirant, was also singled out for alleging in a media interview that the Armed Forces have been neglected by the government. GAF dismissed the claim as baseless and politically motivated, warning that such commentary politicizes the institution and undermines its commitment to democratic civilian control.

“These actions appear calculated to use the name of the Armed Forces to score political points and gain cheap popularity, a practice the GAF will not tolerate under any guise,” the statement read.

The Armed Forces emphasized its ongoing transformation under the Security Sector Reform (SSR) agenda, reaffirming its loyalty to democratic authority and its role in national peace and development.

It warned that attempts to use the institution for political gain could “incite division and compromise national security.”

Calling for restraint, GAF urged Mr. Sarr, Mr. Faal, media houses—particularly West Coast Radio—and political actors to uphold ethical standards and avoid drawing the military into political debates that have no relevance to its constitutional duties.

“The GAF remains committed to preserving the peace and security of this country while contributing to national and socio-economic development,” the statement concluded, appealing to all Gambians to support the Armed Forces in its path toward becoming a modern and accountable institution.