Turkey donates military equipment to Gambia

Turkey on Tuesday donated military equipment to Gambia at the latter's military headquarters in the capital Banjul.

"This cooperation scheme is a technical assistance program that has been going on for over the last 16 years and in that respect the total volume of the assistance has reached $1.4 million," said Turkish Ambassador to Gambia Ismail Sefa Yüceer.

According to local officials, as many as 7,500 Gambian soldiers have been trained by the Turkish military both in the country and in Turkey.

The small West African country is in a political transition and the country's military is being reformed as it progresses from its dictatorship past.

The donated items included military boots, jackets and bags.

"The support is huge in our efforts to ensure that the Gambia Armed Forces is fully equipped and ready to be able to take of its responsibilities both at home and abroad," said Gambia's army Chief of Defense Staff Masanneh Kinteh.