Former army officer Major Alieu Sowe claims the military forced him out because people thought he was close to former dictator Jammeh. At one point, he ran Jammeh's Kanilai Farm. Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie recently told the National Assembly that President Barrow legally removed several senior officers in 2017 under the GAF Act. The minister stated that these officers received all their benefits after leaving.
Major Sowe strongly disagrees with what the minister said. He told The Standard newspaper that officials targeted him because they believed he had connections to Jammeh. Sowe explained he never asked to work near the former president. He simply followed orders as part of his military duty. He stated he served his country regardless of who held the presidency.
The former officer accused the Defence Minister of lying to the Assembly. Sowe claims the army still owes him six months of pay totaling D50,000. He says nobody ever told him why they retired him. When he asked the military police officer who delivered his retirement letter if he had committed any crime, the officer said no. Sowe believes his dismissal at age 42 happened for political reasons.
Sowe argues that the military violated proper procedures when it dismissed him. He believes someone who served professionally with a clean record deserves better treatment. He mentions that even if the Commander-in-chief sees him as a security threat, the president can retire him but should pay all benefits owed. The former officer stated that GAF finance director Major Jah wrote to the PMO multiple times, trying to help him receive his back pay.
According to Sowe, someone at PMO informed him that President Barrow personally blocked his payment. He reminds the president that loyalty cannot be seen on faces. Sowe believes leaders should consider many factors when making decisions because everyone has families to support. He feels hurt because he served during the political crisis and protected the institution he led.
Sowe handed over all materials and valuable items under his control. He views his retirement as a betrayal from behind. The former officer worries about the president forcing soldiers who committed no crimes into retirement. Sowe plans to use legal channels to collect the six months of salary he believes the government owes him.
Major Sowe strongly disagrees with what the minister said. He told The Standard newspaper that officials targeted him because they believed he had connections to Jammeh. Sowe explained he never asked to work near the former president. He simply followed orders as part of his military duty. He stated he served his country regardless of who held the presidency.
The former officer accused the Defence Minister of lying to the Assembly. Sowe claims the army still owes him six months of pay totaling D50,000. He says nobody ever told him why they retired him. When he asked the military police officer who delivered his retirement letter if he had committed any crime, the officer said no. Sowe believes his dismissal at age 42 happened for political reasons.
Sowe argues that the military violated proper procedures when it dismissed him. He believes someone who served professionally with a clean record deserves better treatment. He mentions that even if the Commander-in-chief sees him as a security threat, the president can retire him but should pay all benefits owed. The former officer stated that GAF finance director Major Jah wrote to the PMO multiple times, trying to help him receive his back pay.
According to Sowe, someone at PMO informed him that President Barrow personally blocked his payment. He reminds the president that loyalty cannot be seen on faces. Sowe believes leaders should consider many factors when making decisions because everyone has families to support. He feels hurt because he served during the political crisis and protected the institution he led.
Sowe handed over all materials and valuable items under his control. He views his retirement as a betrayal from behind. The former officer worries about the president forcing soldiers who committed no crimes into retirement. Sowe plans to use legal channels to collect the six months of salary he believes the government owes him.
