By: Binta Jaiteh
The ECOWAS Mission in the Gambia (ECOMIG) has said that its mission is not related to elections and also dismisses many speculative and unsubstantiated commentaries regarding the rotation of Senegalese Contingent serving with ECOMIG.
In a statement obtained by The Voice, ECOMIG clarified that the arrival of the incoming Senegalese contingent in The Gambia formed part of the routine, annual rotation of personnel deployed under the ECOMIG mission.
According to the mission, the annual rotation and relief-in-line of troops is undertaken in accordance with established ECOWAS peace support arrangements which is intended to ensure continuity, operational readiness and sustainability of the mission.
“ECOMIG rotations have similarly involved the replacement of personnel who have completed their prescribed tour of duty with new personnel.”
ECOMIG emphasized that the ongoing rotation of the Senegalese contingent is not related to, nor occasioned by the forthcoming elections in The Gambia. It says the movement of the incoming personnel is strictly, a routine relief-in-line of troops in accordance with the mission’s established deployment cycle.
The mission calls on the public and the media to exercise caution and rely on verified information when reporting on ECOMIG activities and avoid speculation or misinformation regarding the purpose of the current troop rotation.
ECOMIG appreciated the continued cooperation and support of the Gambia Government in carrying out its mandate in accordance with the principles and directive of ECOWAS.