Thursday, September 11, 2025
A Rebuttal to the Misguided Criticism of President Barrow’s Cabinet Appointments
By Yaya Dampha Coordinator NPP Diaspora Sweden
The recent wave of criticism from some online media outlets and self-styled political commentators regarding His Excellency President Adama Barrow’s cabinet reshuffle—particularly the appointment of Hon. Baboucarr ousmaila Joof as Minister of Defence—is not only misguided, but also reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of both The Gambia’s political history and the constitutional role of the Ministry of Defence.
To begin with, the claim that appointing a civilian without a military background as Defence Minister is unprecedented or a misstep is historically false.
From independence, successive Gambian leaders, including the founding father Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, held the Defence portfolio themselves. Sir Dawda, during his long tenure as Head of State (1970–1994), personally oversaw the Ministry of Defence on multiple occasions. When he did delegate this role, it was to capable civilian leaders such as Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, Assan Musa Camara, Alhaji Alieu Badara Njie, and Saihou Sabally (who also served as Vice President). None of them were military officers, yet they served diligently and effectively.
It was only during the time of former president Yahya Jammeh's time that the Gambia’s Defence ministry was militarised.
Why is it that our so-called experts and online media outlets always jump to conclusions without digging for historical, legal and factual proofs.
This precedent illustrates a simple but critical truth: the Defence Minister’s role is fundamentally civilian and political, not military. Defence ministries across the world are led by civilians precisely to ensure democratic oversight, accountability, and the subordination of the armed forces to elected leadership. A Defence Minister is not meant to lead troops in combat—that is the duty of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the professional military command. Instead, the Minister of Defence provides policy direction, facilitates coordination between government and the armed forces, manages resources, and ensures that the army operates within the framework of the constitution and the laws of the land.
Furthermore, those who suggest that Hon. Joof lacks political experience are equally mistaken or should I say economical with the truth. His distinguished record of public service and leadership stands as proof of his competence and ability to oversee such sensitive ministry. Unlike what critics would have the public believe, a Defence Minister’s greatest strength lies in diplomacy, governance, and management—not in military rank.
It is also worth emphasizing that placing a military figure as Defence Minister often risks unhealthy power struggles between the CDS and the Minister. History shows that soldiers naturally command loyalty from the ranks, and combining this with political authority could create friction, rivalry, or even destabilization. A civilian Minister, on the other hand, provides balance—free from competition for military loyalty, and better positioned to uphold civilian control over the armed forces.
Therefore, President Barrow’s decision to appoint Hon. Joof as Minister of Defence is neither new nor misguided. It is consistent with democratic tradition, Gambian precedent, and global best practice. Instead of sensationalizing this appointment, commentators should acknowledge it as a step towards stability, civilian supremacy, and continuity in governance.
President Barrow has once again demonstrated his commitment to consolidating democracy and ensuring that the armed forces remain a professional institution under civilian oversight. The criticism is not only baseless but also undermines the democratic principle that the military must serve the state—not govern it.
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