Chidi Samuel
Gambia’s President Yahaya Jammeh is believed to be in last minute negotiation with the President of Mauritania, Mhammed Abdul Azziz as the leaders of the West African Sub- Region readied their forces to intervene in Gambia’s Political crisis. Already Nigerian special forces and a war ship are already stationed off the coast of Gambia ready to launch attack.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) earlier in the day confirmed that it has deployed to Senegal in case of the need to enforce Gambia’s election mandate, it said on Wednesday. The contingent is under the command of Air Cdr Ayodele Tajudeen Yusuf.
“The NAF today moved a contingent of 200 men and air assets comprising fighter jets, transport aircraft, light utility helicopter as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to Dakar from where it is expected to operate into Gambia,” director of public relations, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa said.
“The deployment is also to forestall hostilities or breakdown of law and order that may result from the current political impasse in Gambia,” he said.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) , Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar while addressing the troops before departure at New Bussa, urged them to maintain discipline and be professional in their conduct.
He also reminded them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, as no act of indiscipline by the contingent would be tolerated
Other countries contributing troops include: Senegal, Ghana and countries within the sub-region.
Senegal’s forces are already at the Gambian border and will enter the country if President Yahya Jammeh, who lost a Dec. 1 election, does not step down when his official mandate ends at midnight.