Colonel Cheikh Guèye, the new commander of Military Zone No. 5, officially took office this Friday, October 10, 2025, following his appointment on July 1, replacing Colonel Yayakh Diop. The installation ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mbaye Cissé.

 

The ceremony was marked by a parade led by the band of Military Zone No. 5 and the presentation of the flag and its guard of the 5th Infantry Battalion. In front of the civil, military, religious and traditional authorities, and the population, sections of the 5th Infantry Battalion, the 25th Reconnaissance and Support Battalion, the 3rd Company of the 1st Parachute Battalion, the 105/LG A Battery of the 2nd Artillery Battalion, the detachment of the Air Rifle Group and a squad from the South Naval Base.

 

In his speech to present his roadmap to the guests, Colonel Guèye paid tribute to his predecessors, praising the work they accomplished in the Southern Zone. He expressed his gratitude to the CEMGA for choosing him to lead Military Zone No. 5.

 

An area which occupies a central place in the country's national defense system, said the Com-zone.

According to Colonel Guèye, this area, which he has the great honour of commanding, due to its geographical position, "is at the heart of the action of the defence and security forces in the framework of the defence of territorial integrity, but also in the framework of securing the populations and vital infrastructures of the Ziguinchor region."

 

Its mission is "to defend the territorial integrity in the Ziguinchor region, through coherent and effective zone control to deal with any threat, but also to participate in the fight against various trafficking in timber, drugs, etc. Also, to maintain a high level of operational vigilance in this region and finally, to maintain frank and good cooperative relations with the defense and security forces," Colonel Cheikh Guèye explained. He assures that he will strengthen collaboration with the administrative authorities and with the population to ensure their peace of mind and also freedom in the movement of their goods.

 

And in this context of increasing the power of the defense tool, the Com-zone assures that "military zone No. 5 will play a role of bulwark and lookout to consolidate the stability of the region, but also ensure the security of the populations."