NAMs confirm Dibba’s appointment

Similarly, the appointment of the other nominee, retired Cononel Momodou Ndow Njie has been withdrawn by Defence Minister Sheikh Omar Faye in order to provide tangible documents about Mr. Njie before lawmakers act on his appointment.

Moving the motion, Muhamed Magassy, member for Basse said the functions of the Armed Forces Council shall advise the president on all matters of policy relating to Defense and strategy, including the role of the Armed Forces, Defense budgeting and finance, administration and any other matters, which the president may refer to the council.

The council further could also advise the president on the promotion of officers to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel or its equivalent and above.

According to him, with the prior approval of the president, make regulations for the performance of its functions under the Constitution and any other law and, subject to any Act of the National Assembly in that regard, for the effective and efficient administration of the Armed Forces.

It could be recall that the confirmation of appointments of Rt. Col. Momodou Ndow Njie and Mr. Yusupha Baboucarr Dibba as members of the Armed Forces Council was tabled by the Minister for Defense on Tuesday 19 May, 2020 and it was referred to the Public Appointment Standing Committee as per Standing Order 114 for further scrutiny and advice.

Accordingly, the committee met on Thursday 4 June, 2020 to consider and scrutinise the motion as was referred to it by the Plenary.

Sulayman Saho, member for Badibou Central underscored that any person that should be appointed into Armed Forces Council should be the person that will add value to the service and make The Gambia Armed Forces a functional and effective military.

Thus, he indicated that, retired Col. Momodou Ndow-Njie has the experience in the military, but that documents relating to his educational background before the assembly was a cause of concern compared to that of Mr. Yusupha Baboucarr Dibba.

Halifa Sallah, member for Serrekunda pointed out that National Assembly is not an appointment authority and that its role is to confirm and make scrutiny on the appointment from the executive.

NAM Sallah pointed out that the Constitution of The Gambia did not indicate any educational background to be in the Armed Forces Council.