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By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Nigeria
A seven-member delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has visited the Nigerian Contingent of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) at its Base Camp in Yundum Barracks to assess the welfare, living conditions and operational challenges of troops deployed to the mission.
In a press statement detailing the visit, Captain Babale Kela, Military Public Information Officer of the Nigerian Contingent, ECOMIG, said the delegation, led by Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., undertook the engagement on Friday, 30 October 2026, as part of efforts to assess the mission’s activities and evaluate the preparedness of Gambian defence and security institutions to assume full responsibility for the country’s defence and security ahead of the eventual withdrawal of ECOMIG contingents.
The delegation was received by the ECOMIG Force Commander, Colonel Aliou Tine, alongside the Nigerian Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel YM Abdullahi.
During the visit, the parliamentarians embarked on a guided tour of the Nigerian Contingent’s Base Camp, inspecting accommodation facilities and other essential infrastructure while interacting with deployed personnel to gain firsthand insight into their welfare and living conditions.
The Contingent Commander subsequently briefed the delegation on the unit’s operational activities, administrative arrangements, training programmes and other key issues relating to its mandate and general administration.
The briefing was followed by an interactive session during which members of the delegation sought further clarification on the contingent’s operational responsibilities, prevailing challenges, infrastructure and personnel welfare.
As part of the engagement, the delegation received specially designed commemorative T-shirts in recognition of the Nigerian Contingent’s 2026 Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness and Sensitisation Campaign. The campaign, which includes medical screening activities, was ongoing at the contingent’s Level 1 Hospital.
The Head of Delegation, Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., also signed the contingent’s Visitors’ Book to formally commemorate the visit.
In his remarks, Hon. Snowe acknowledged the importance of the engagement and assured the contingent that concerns and infrastructural challenges identified during the inspection would be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
He emphasised the importance of addressing issues affecting the living conditions and welfare of deployed personnel.
Other members of the delegation included Hon. Abdoulaye Keita, Hon. Adomahou Jeremie, Hon. Veronica K. Sesay, Hon. Dr Zainab Gimba, Hon. Sheriff S. Sarr and Hon. Nelson Moreira.
The delegation was accompanied by officials from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOMIG Force Headquarters, the Nigerian Contingent and interpreters.
The visit underscores the importance of institutional oversight, sustained attention to troop welfare and effective coordination among ECOWAS member states in supporting the mission’s mandate.
It also forms part of broader efforts to assess the capacity of Gambian defence and security institutions to assume full responsibility for national security and facilitate an orderly transition following the eventual withdrawal of ECOMIG contingents.
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