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GV PAN & CU Gendarmerie Nationale with Senegalese flags in Dakar, Senegal (2 shots)
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2.
SV Minister of Justice, Cledor Sall (wearing civilian clothes) enters courtyard past guard of honour with Commandant of the Gendarmerie Nationale, Colonel Wally Faye and they salute the flag (2 shots)
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3.
GV & CU Detachments of the armed force and police lined up (5 shots)
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4.
GV Guests seated
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5.
SV Colonel Wally Faye presents diplomas to graduates
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6.
SV PAN Guests seated
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7.
LV & CU Graduated cadets and members of the armed forces march past Minister Sall and Colonel Faye (4 shots)
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8.
SV Cavalry units pass in review
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Initials BB/2015



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Senegal a passing-out passing-out parade was held on Saturday (5 November) for 180 Gendarmerie Nationale cadets who'd completed their training for the country's police force.

SYNOPSIS: The ceremony took place in the capital of Dakar, and it was watched by Senegal's Minister of Justice Cledor Sall, wearing civilian clothes, and the commandant of the Gendarmerie Nationale, colonel Wally Faye. Other guests included the President of the Supreme Court, judges and magistrates.

Senegal's gendarmerie forms part of the 1,600 men in the country's paramilitary forces, and it's organised along the same lines as the French police. France provides technical and material aid for the paramilitary forces as well as the army of 5,500, navy of 250 and 200-strong air force.

Colonel Faye presented special diplomas to the outstanding cadets who'd finished at the top of their class and delivered a speech outlining the duties of the gendarmes and their role in Senegalese society. Military service in the country's forces is selective and lasts for two years.

Once the main formalities were over the cadets formally passed out in a parade accompanied by other members of the armed forces. Until 1974 France had its own military bases in the former colony, which became independent in 1960. But under a new agreement the French handed over the bases and began to withdraw military and technical personnel.

To end the ceremonies with a flourish, cavalry units passed by in review.