26.02.2025 17:34
Personnel of the Gambian Armed Forces are learning Turkish in order to receive military training in Turkey. Soldiers attending Turkish language classes at the Atatürk classroom in the Gambian Armed Forces Training School in Fajara also have access to Turkish resources in the Atatürk library. Since 2020, Turkish language training has been provided to 555 Gambian military personnel.
The Minister of National Defense and the Turkey Maarif Foundation signed a Cooperation Protocol in Education, and in 2020, Atmaca Polat went to Gambia as a teacher, teaching Turkish to 22 military students. Polat stated that the classes, which started on October 7, 2024, will last approximately 40 weeks, and they aim to bring their students to a B2 level.
MILITARY RELATIONS AND LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Gambia's Military Advisor, Infantry Colonel Anıl Aksoy, described the soldiers learning Turkish from the Gambian army. Aksoy expressed that within the framework of military relations that began in 1991, 160 Gambian military personnel received Turkish language training in Turkey. He emphasized that language education contributes to the relations between the two countries and facilitates the sharing of military experiences.
LIBRARY AND RESOURCES
The Atatürk library in the Gambia Education School Barracks was renovated by TIKA in 2024. The library contains military manuals and brochures in Turkish and English, history and research books, as well as novels. All personnel of the Gambian Armed Forces can benefit from the library.
STUDENTS' OPINIONS
Khadije Balde, who is receiving Turkish language education, said, "After this course, I will receive military training in Turkey next year. That's why I am learning Turkish; I love Turkey very much."
95% MUSLIM COUNTRY
The smallest country on the African mainland, Gambia gained its independence from the British on February 18, 1965. With an area of approximately 11,300 square kilometers, Gambia is surrounded by Senegal on three sides, except for its Atlantic Ocean coast. Of the country's population of around 2.8 million, 96.4% are Muslims, 3.6% are Christians, and the remaining belong to other religions. The main languages spoken in Gambia are English, Mandinka, Wolof, and Fula, with ethnic groups including Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola, and Serahuli.
CLOSE RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
As diplomatic relations between Turkey and Gambia continue to strengthen, there is close cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, and military fields. Turkey supports the development of Gambia's defense sector. Since 1991, many Gambian soldiers, police, and gendarmerie have received training in Turkey. Therefore, it is possible to see Gambians speaking Turkish on the streets of Gambia.
In Gambia, where the Turkey Maarif Foundation (TMV) school is located, the opening of the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) Turkish Cultural Center is planned soon. As of 2024, Turkey's exports to Gambia have increased by 16%, and the Gambian people show great interest in Turkey and Turkish culture.