President Jammeh speaking to journalists in November 2011 |
Gambia’s
President Yahya Jammeh on Friday July 6 removed the Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS) Lieutenant General Masaneh Kinteh and appoints his deputy Major Ousman
Badjie as a replacement.
A
statement from president Jammeh’s office, State House confirms the sacking as
broadcast by the State Television (GRTS). Kinteh is said to have been moved to
the diplomatic mission though his destination has not been revealed.
As
usual, no explanation has been given as to why CDS Kinteh was sacked, two years
after his appointment.
Intelligence
agents questioned Kinteh last week, but no information filtered out from the
session, according to reports by the AFP news agency.
At
the time of his sacking, Kinteh was on a countrywide tour of militarily
installations.
CDS Masanneh Kinteh |
Kinteh,
a native of Jarra Sankuya, became deputy chief of army staff in October 2009,
going on to replace Lt. Gen Langtombong Tamba in 2010, following his sacking,
trial, conviction and sentencing to death on charges of treason.
Like
Kinteh, when Tamba was also sacked, he was said to have been appointed to the
Foreign Service – an appointment he confirmed during his trial.
In
May this year, the Gambian leader relieved the leaders of the army, air force,
marines and presidential guard of their duties and subsequently appointed them
as deputy ambassadors.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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