DPS Saidykhan represents the Minister of Defence at the 17th STCDSS session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mr. Manding Saidykhan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, represented Minister Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof at the 17th Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defence, Safety, and Security (STCDSS) from December 8 to 11, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He led the Gambian delegation in high-level discussions, including the 20th Meeting of African Chiefs of Defence Staff. Key topics included Africa’s peace and security, with the Gambian delegation contributing to the adoption of various strategic documents, including reports on the African Standby Force.

The session concluded with The Gambia advocating for a comprehensive audit of the African Union Continental Logistics Base, focusing on its structures and financing.