BANJUL, The Gambia — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, has reaffirmed GAF’s commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and regional security. Lieutenant General Gomez made these remarks on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, during a meeting with General of the Army Tomas Djassi, Chief of General Staff and President of the Transitional Council of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, at the Defence Headquarters in Banjul.
Lieutenant General Gomez described General Tomas Djassi’s visit to The Gambia as a great honour and expressed delight in welcoming his counterpart. He emphasised that the engagement provided an important opportunity to deepen military relations, strengthen mutual understanding, and advance shared security priorities between the two nations.
The CDS highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation, responsible military leadership, and a shared determination to address regional security challenges. He stressed that stronger collaboration between the two armed forces would contribute significantly to promoting peace, stability, and collective security across West Africa and beyond.
Furthermore, Lieutenant General Gomez underscored the need to expand professional military cooperation through personnel exchanges, joint training opportunities, and the sharing of operational knowledge and expertise. He noted that these initiatives would bolster military capabilities, improve training standards, and enhance the overall professional development of personnel in both countries.
The GAF supremo also emphasised the value of collaboration in defence policy, operational security, and military diplomacy, stressing that sustained bilateral engagement will promote mutual support, institutional development, and a solid foundation for long-term military cooperation. He reaffirmed GAF's commitment to working closely with the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau to achieve shared defence objectives and strengthen regional security partnerships.
In his remarks, General of the Army Tomas Djassi described the relationship between the two nations as one rooted in friendship, brotherhood, and shared political and security interests. He emphasised that strengthening these ties is essential for promoting peace and stability within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
General Djassi recalled that a bilateral defence cooperation agreement was signed between the two countries in February 2025, describing it as a vital framework for advancing practical military collaboration. He noted that the geographical realities and security challenges facing the sub-region require coordinated responses, stronger partnerships, and sustained cooperation between neighbouring states.
He particularly highlighted the importance of professional military development, specifically regarding the enhancement of English language skills among Guinea-Bissau’s commissioned and non-commissioned officers. Improved language proficiency, he explained, would support seamless communication, facilitate professional advancement, and enable more effective participation in joint military activities and multinational missions.
General Djassi also expressed a keen interest in expanding training opportunities for Guinea-Bissau personnel, including professional development courses and military training programmes at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School in Fajara. He noted that such cooperation would help build capacity, improve operational readiness, and elevate the professional standards of personnel in both armed forces.
The Guinea-Bissau Chief of Defence Staff further identified key potential areas of cooperation, including specialised training, border security operations, tactical coordination, and technical expertise exchange. He stressed the importance of formulating a practical action plan to guide execution, monitor progress, and ensure that agreed defence initiatives deliver tangible results.
Concluding his address, General Djassi expressed his sincere gratitude to the Gambia Armed Forces for the warm reception and hospitality extended to his delegation. He reaffirmed his country’s dedication to strengthening military ties and pursuing mutually beneficial initiatives that support the growth and modernization of both armed forces.
This high-level visit underscores the shared commitment of The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau to deepening bilateral defence relations through structured dialogue, professional military training, and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.