Musa Dibba, the Deputy Director General of State Intelligence Services (SIS) has said that supporting the reform process of the legal framework governing security institutions is critical for our work in support to the Gambian government.
Reviewing the SIS Draft Bill, on Monday at NANA conference hall in Bakau, he said that legal reform processes represent an integral and essential part of Security Sector Reform (SSR) as a robust and efficient legal framework is critical for a democratic and efficient security sector.
Democratic Control of Armed Force (DCAF) and Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance are currently implementing a programme aimed at supporting the Security Sector Reform (SSR) process in The Gambia funded by the European Union.
Within the framework of this programme, DCAF at the request of Ministry of Justice (MOJ) would be reviewing the SIS Draft Bill. The first drafting committee would lead to the development of an SIS bill. The Committee will be assisted by an international expert in intelligence contracted by DCAF.
“Security Sector institutions (SSI) ought to be regulated by and operated according to clear, up to date legal and policy frameworks that comply with international and regional standards and norms. Ultimately, laws and policies enable SSI to effectively fulfil their mandate and to operate consistently with the principle of rule of law and respecting fundamental human rights.
The SSR assessment conducted in 2017 identified a legal framework that required significant reform to effectively regulate the mandates and functions of SSIs,” Dibba pointed out
He added: “Many of the laws and regulations of individual security institutions remain outdated, while internal regulatory policies are either lacking or insufficient. A comprehensive legal reform process ought to address these gaps, through review/amendments the 97’ Constitution (mindful of and with due consideration afforded to the recommendations of the constitutional Review Commission) and laws and policies regulating SSI.”
According to him, through DCAF’s interaction with the Ministry of Justice, the later expressed an interest for DCAF’s supporting the development of a legislation governing the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) – to be renamed in the revised constitution as State Intelligence Services (SIS).
He further said government’s requested to DCAF to support the development of a law governing intelligence services that is demonstrative of its willingness to ensure that key security institutions are regulated by and operate in compliance with international norms and standards.
He added government’s request for our support further represents a clear sign of its trust it places in our organization.
He noted that DCAF’s support ultimately aims for the Government to adopt a law governing the SIS has been designed and agreed upon in close consultation with the Minister of Justice and supporting agencies and partners in a manner that ensures national ownership of the process.
