By: Sulayman Waan
The Gambia Government through the minister of Justice and Attorney General on Friday commissioned 20 drafters for the National Security and Security Sector Reform Strategies; held at State House in Banjul.
The national security strategy aimed at directing the implementation of the security sector policy as well as the Security Sector Reform Strategy to help in implementing the findings and recommendations of the security sector assessment report.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by cross-section of top security officials.
Ababucar Tambedou, minister of Justice and Attorney General described the National Security and Security Sector Reform Strategies as essential in national development, adding all the activities in the country will not be count much if the sustainable development goals in security sector are not attained.
“This is the foundation upon which the Gambia’s future is going to be built and government is aware of this. We recognized that there have been challenges in the past two years,” he said.
Tambedou also the chairperson for the National Security Steering Committee said: “therefore, we want to make most of the time that we have to ensure we change the face of the country to good.”
“I understand that you were chosen based on your skills, experience and expertise and I hope you will meet our expectation fully. You (drafters) have a very important task as you are assigned to produce a quality work in short time.
He assured that the government would provide all the necessary support to the drafters to ensure the success of the security reform process, adding the drafters’ work together with the action plan that would guide the reform process in the security sector is fundamental
He advised the drafters to be concise, concreted and conclusive so as to achieve the sustainable development goals the country is yearning for.
Mai Ahmad Fatty, special adviser to the President on governance and policy said the National Security Strategy aimed at implementing the national security policy also guide, organize and harmonize the nation’s security policies and efforts to maintain the survival of the country.
“The security sector reform strategy will be developed to address gaps and malfunctions, the finding and recommendations identified during the security sector assessment,” he added.
“The strategy document on progress should help to lay a solid foundation for a better Gambia by building opportunities and aspirations as articulated in the National Security Policy in order to boost the state to a greater security, unity, justice and prosperous Gambia where respect for rule of law and integrity are accepted guidelines and norms,” he said.
Fatty called on Gambians to support the security sector reform process to ensure its success, noting the success of the security reform will help in building robust and resilient economy for the country.
Seraphine Wakana, UN resident coordinator who spoke on behalf of EU, Ecowas and other partners portrayed the commissioning of the drafters as critical milestone in the country’s security sector reform.
“You can be assured that we are committed to continue to provide the necessary support for the next steps to be taken to ensure that these two policy frameworks are implemented in detail,” Wakana said.