Gambia to Deploy 150 Soldiers to Sierra Leone

September 22, 2024

The Gambia will be sending 150 soldiers to Sierra Leone as part of a stabilization effort led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The decision was approved by the Gambian Parliament after a motion was presented by the Vice President.

The deployment is aimed at supporting peace and restoring stability in Sierra Leone. The move comes as part of ECOWAS' broader strategy to reinforce security in the region, with a special focus on combatting military coups and terrorism.

The force will be stationed at the ECOWAS depot in Lungi and is intended to uphold democratic values and constitutional governance in West Africa. The regional bloc emphasized the importance of resisting non-constitutional government takeovers, which have become a growing concern in the region.

This deployment is part of ECOWAS' commitment to ensure peace and security across its member states, with only a few countries abstaining from the initiative. The mission will also address the spread of terrorism, which is increasingly moving from the Sahel to coastal regions.