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The Gambia’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Mamat O. A. Cham, has resigned over graft allegations that have triggered criticism in the country.
According to AFP, he resigned on Friday, two days after allegations of misconduct emerged. Cham is accused of exchanging a military vehicle for land. His wife is also accused of receiving funds for a trip to China.
The Gambian presidency said Cham was stepping down following “numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.”
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.
The West African country experienced several years of dictatorship under former president Yahya Jammeh.
Jammeh lost power after being defeated in the 2016 presidential election by Adama Barrow, who was re-elected in 2021 and has vowed to clean up the administration.
Barrow appointed Major General Ousman Gomez as Acting Chief of Defence Staff with immediate effect.
The Gambia is the smallest mainland state in Africa. The country is ranked 99th out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index.
