ECOWAS PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS NIGERIAN CONTINGENT IN YUNDUM BASE CAMP

ECOWAS PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS NIGERIAN CONTINGENT IN YUNDUM BASE CAMP

A seven-member delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, led by Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., on Friday, 30 October 2026, visited the Nigerian Contingent of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) at its Base Camp, Yundum Barracks.

The visit was aimed at assessing the living conditions, welfare and operational challenges of troops deployed under ECOMIG. It also provided an opportunity for the delegation to evaluate the level of preparedness of the Gambian Defence and Security Forces, as well as relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), towards assuming full responsibility for the country’s defence and security, as part of ongoing considerations for the eventual exit of ECOMIG contingents from The Gambia.

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 undertook a guided tour of the Nigerian Contingent’s Base Camp, where they inspected accommodation facilities and other camp infrastructure, while interacting with personnel to gain firsthand insight into their welfare and living conditions.

Thereafter, the Contingent Commander briefed the delegation on the Contingent’s operational activities, administrative arrangements, training programmes and other key issues relating to its mandate and general administration. This was followed by an extensive interactive session during which members of the delegation sought further clarification on various aspects of the Contingent’s operations, challenges and personnel welfare.

As part of the visit, the delegation was presented with specially designed commemorative T-shirts in recognition of the 2026 Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness and Sensitisation Campaign being conducted by the Nigerian Contingent. The campaign, which included medical screening activities, was ongoing at the Contingent’s Level 1 Hospital. The Head of Delegation also signed the Contingent’s Visitors’ Book to formally commemorate the visit.

In his remarks, Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. acknowledged the importance of the engagement and assured the Contingent that the concerns and infrastructural challenges observed during the tour would be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities for necessary action, with a view to improving 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 staff officers from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOMIG Force Headquarters, the Nigerian Contingent and interpreters.

The visit underscored the importance of sustained institutional oversight, troop welfare and effective coordination among ECOWAS member states in supporting the Mission’s mandate and facilitating a smooth transition towards the eventual assumption of full security responsibilities by the Gambian authorities.

Babale Kela
Captain
Military Public Information Officer
Nigerian Contingent, ECOMIG