Gambia‘s President Adama Barrow has sacked the head of military and Chief of Defence staff, Lieutenant General Masanneh Kinteh.
A statement issued by his office said the President Barrow has “decided to relieve Lieutenant General Masanneh N. Kinteh of his duties as the Chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, effective 5th March 2020.”
Mr Kinteh is to be replaced by his deputy Major General Yankuba A. Drammeh.
Masanneh Kinteh previously served as chief of defence staff under former president Yaya Jammeh between 2009 and 2012, before he was later redeployed for foreign-service in Cuba.
He bounce back in 2017 after President Barrow won the December 2016 presidential election and appointed him as the head of the military.
It is not known why Barrow sacked Kinteh but there have been mixed reactions to the decision.
Reactions
A former soldier who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was not surprised by the sacking of Mr Kinteh.
“I saw this long time ago because if you look at his modus operandi you will know he will be sack sooner than later.
I was even surprised that he stayed that long in this position,” he told Africa Feeds.
Buba Simaha a Gambian Business man told Africa Feeds that Barrow made a mistake by sacking the former General because he thinks Kinteh is a great character and has changed a lot in the way the military works after the dictatorship.
“Mr Kinteh has a proven track record and I think Barrow has made a mistake to sack him but notwithstanding I think his deputy Drammeh will do a great job and continue from where Kinteh left,” he said.
President Adama Barrow has been trying to solidify his position ahead of general elections next year.
He is facing opposition from some Gambians and the coalition that brought him to power.
Barrow has already registered his own political party to help him retain power in the upcoming election.
Source: Africafeeds.com
