President Barrow orders Independent Inquiry into allegations against Former CDS Cham - Info minister
The move follows allegations made by Modou Saine, the former personal assistant to the ex-CDS. According to Dr. Ceesay, the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) stated in a recent press release that no substantive evidence has been established so far and that the military will allow a thorough, impartial and independent investigation process to take its course. The minister also confirmed that President Barrow has accepted the resignation of Lieutenant General Cham following the reported allegations of misconduct. In line with constitutional provisions, Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez has been appointed Acting Chief of Defence Staff. The Ministry of information further announced that Major General Gomez has formally assumed his duties and reaffirmed his commitment to professionalism and national security during a courtesy call on Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie. Providing updates on government activities, Dr. Ceesay disclosed that President Barrow recently received Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Banjul International Airport for a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal. “President Faye spent most of the day in discussions with President Barrow as both leaders explored ways to deepen ties between the two neighbouring countries.” He said He further revealed that President Barrow hosted a delegation from Morocco’s TIBU Africa following the launch of the Generation Supportive Programme in The Gambia. The initiative , he said focuses on youth development, school sports, health promotion and skills training, with a long-term objective of reaching more than 600 public primary schools nationwide by 2030. He added that , the programme aligns with the government’s broader agenda of promoting education and health through sports. On education, he revealed that , the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education announced that a number of in-service graduates have had their employment status regularised following a recent verification exercise. The ministry also urged individuals whose status remains unregularised to submit the necessary documents for processing. Additionally, he said teaching and administrative staff who were not captured during the civil service verification exercise have been asked to participate in a final verification exercise scheduled from 4 to 15 June 2026. Dr. Ceesay also reported that The Gambia participated in the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, where discussions focused on trade, investment, digital transformation, agriculture and human capital development. Adding on, he stated that The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further issued a safety advisory to Gambians residing in South Africa following reports of rising xenophobic tensions, urging citizens to exercise caution and maintain contact with Gambian diplomatic missions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines announced a government subsidy intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices. According to the minister, the government has injected D150 million to cushion the impact of rising global oil prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East. He noted that this is the third subsidy intervention by the government this year, following support measures of over D300 million in April and D150 million in May. In another development he revealed that The Ministry of Interior, through the Gambia Immigration Department, also received six patrol vehicles to enhance border security operations and strengthen efforts to combat irregular migration and other transnational security challenges.
Black News 
The move follows allegations made by Modou Saine, the former personal assistant to the ex-CDS. According to Dr. Ceesay, the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) stated in a recent press release that no substantive evidence has been established so far and that the military will allow a thorough, impartial and independent investigation process to take its course.
The minister also confirmed that President Barrow has accepted the resignation of Lieutenant General Cham following the reported allegations of misconduct. In line with constitutional provisions, Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez has been appointed Acting Chief of Defence Staff.
The Ministry of information further announced that Major General Gomez has formally assumed his duties and reaffirmed his commitment to professionalism and national security during a courtesy call on Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie.
Providing updates on government activities, Dr. Ceesay disclosed that President Barrow recently received Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Banjul International Airport for a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal.
“President Faye spent most of the day in discussions with President Barrow as both leaders explored ways to deepen ties between the two neighbouring countries.” He said
He further revealed that President Barrow hosted a delegation from Morocco’s TIBU Africa following the launch of the Generation Supportive Programme in The Gambia. The initiative , he said focuses on youth development, school sports, health promotion and skills training, with a long-term objective of reaching more than 600 public primary schools nationwide by 2030.
He added that , the programme aligns with the government’s broader agenda of promoting education and health through sports.
On education, he revealed that , the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education announced that a number of in-service graduates have had their employment status regularised following a recent verification exercise. The ministry also urged individuals whose status remains unregularised to submit the necessary documents for processing.
Additionally, he said teaching and administrative staff who were not captured during the civil service verification exercise have been asked to participate in a final verification exercise scheduled from 4 to 15 June 2026.
Dr. Ceesay also reported that The Gambia participated in the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, where discussions focused on trade, investment, digital transformation, agriculture and human capital development.
Adding on, he stated that The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further issued a safety advisory to Gambians residing in South Africa following reports of rising xenophobic tensions, urging citizens to exercise caution and maintain contact with Gambian diplomatic missions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines announced a government subsidy intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices. According to the minister, the government has injected D150 million to cushion the impact of rising global oil prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East. He noted that this is the third subsidy intervention by the government this year, following support measures of over D300 million in April and D150 million in May.
In another development he revealed that The Ministry of Interior, through the Gambia Immigration Department, also received six patrol vehicles to enhance border security operations and strengthen efforts to combat irregular migration and other transnational security challenges.
