22/07/2025
Turkey’s Generous APC Donation to The Gambia And Why the Minister’s False Claim is Problematic.
On Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, a significant moment unfolded at the State House in Banjul as the Republic of Turkey officially handed over 17 Cobra 1 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to The Gambia. Valued at $4 million (approximately GMD 280 million), these military vehicles were not purchased but donated under the Military Financial Cooperation Agreement between the two nations. The ceremony, presided over by President Adama Barrow and attended by Turkish Ambassador Fahri Türker Oba, senior government officials, military leaders, and diplomats, was a clear demonstration of Turkey’s ongoing support for The Gambia’s security sector.
President Barrow emphasized that the APCs would enhance the Gambia Armed Forces’ operational capabilities, particularly in United Nations peacekeeping missions and national defense. The donation was also framed as part of broader Security Sector Reform efforts. Given the high-profile nature of the event and the extensive media coverage, there was no ambiguity, the APCs were a gift, not an expenditure of Gambian taxpayer funds.
That’s why it was so alarming when, months later on July 22nd, Minister of Information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay appeared on "Coffee Time with Peter Gomez" and falsely claimed that the government had purchased the vehicles. This was not a minor misstatement but a complete distortion of the facts. The APCs were never bought; they were given freely by Turkey as part of a longstanding military partnership that dates back to 1991.
Such misinformation from a high-ranking official, especially the minister responsible for disseminating accurate government information, is deeply troubling. When leaders make false claims, whether intentionally or carelessly, it breeds public confusion and erodes trust. In a country where transparency is vital, misrepresenting a major international donation raises unnecessary doubts. Was this an honest mistake, or is there a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth? Either way, the damage is the same: citizens are left questioning what else they may have been misled about.
Beyond domestic concerns, this kind of misinformation risks straining diplomatic goodwill. Turkey has been a reliable partner to The Gambia, and downplaying their generosity by framing the APCs as a government purchase is disrespectful to that relationship. International cooperation thrives on trust, and when officials spread inaccuracies, it undermines that foundation.
The solution is simple: Dr. Ceesay must publicly correct the record. Acknowledging the error and clarifying that the APCs were indeed a donation, not a purchase, would be a step toward restoring credibility. Public officials must be held accountable for their words, especially when those words misrepresent critical facts.
This incident should serve as a reminder to all in positions of authority: the truth matters. In an age where misinformation spreads quickly, leaders have a responsibility to communicate with accuracy and integrity. The Gambian people deserve nothing less. Turkey’s donation was a gesture of solidarity, one that should be acknowledged truthfully, not rewritten for unclear reasons. The facts are plain, and no official, no matter how senior, should be allowed to distort them without consequence.
