President Adama Barrow has accepted the resignation of The Gambia Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham, following allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
The resignation takes immediate effect, according to a statement released on Friday by the Presidency.
In his resignation letter dated May 29, 2026, Lt. Gen. Cham said he was stepping down amid what he described as “numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse of office” that are inconsistent with the responsibilities and standards expected of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
General Cham expressed gratitude to President Barrow for the trust and confidence placed in him during his tenure, which culminated in his appointment as the country’s ninth Chief of Defence Staff.
He also assured the President of his full cooperation with any investigations that may arise from the allegations.
“General Cham has assured the President of his availability in any potential investigations into these allegations,” the statement said.
Acting under the powers vested in him under Section 190 of the Constitution, President Barrow has appointed Major General Ousman Gomez as Acting Chief of Defence Staff with immediate effect.
Until his appointment, Major General Gomez served as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff at the Army Headquarters in Banjul.
The Presidency did not provide details regarding the nature of the allegations against Lt. Gen. Cham, and it remains unclear whether formal investigations have commenced.
The development marks a significant leadership transition within The Gambia Armed Forces at a time when the government continues to emphasise accountability and institutional reforms within the country’s security sector.
