Gambia’s army chief, Ousman Badjie said he would not order his men to fight other African troops if they enter Gambian territory.
He spoke Wednesday as Senegalese and other troops massed on his nation’s borders.
The Senegalese troops backed by Nigerian Air Force and other African troops were on standby to move into The Gambia as President Yahya Jammeh approached a midnight deadline to stand down or face military action after refusing to leave at the end of his term.
“We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute,” Chief of Defence Staff Ousman Badjie said, after eating dinner in a tourist district close to the capital, Banjul, eyewitnesses told AFP.
“I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men,” he added, stopping to pose for selfies with admirers while dressed in fatigues, beret and green t-shirt, according to those present.
We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute…I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men.
“If they (Senegalese) come in, we are here like this,” Badjie said, making a hands up to surrender gesture.
Badjie is no stranger to controversy after appearing to declare support for president-elect Adama Barrow and then switching back to Jammeh.
He was recently barred from visiting Gambian peacekeepers in Darfur due to the sensitivity of The Gambia’s ongoing political crisis, which has seen Jammeh repeatedly refuse to step down despite losing a December 1 election to opponent Barrow.
“Our troops are on alert… The ultimatum takes effect at midnight,” when Jammeh’s mandate is due to expire, Senegal army spokesman Colonel Abdou Ndiaye told AFP ahead of the deadline.
*AFP and African news
Two members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) were injured in a…
THE Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended…
Residents of Irewole, Orisumbare, and Itesiwaju communities in Owode-Ede, Osun State, have expressed concern over…
GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday, announced plans by his administration to create special food marts…
A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Iremo Ward 2, Ile-Ife, Ife Central…
OSUN State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has appointed Mr. Isiaq Awotunde, as the new Auditor-General…
This website uses cookies.