A survey by Afrobarometer, a pan-African nonpartisan research network, says two-thirds of Gambians citizens say they trust the Gambia Armed Forces at least “somewhat”.
Some 48% say they trust them “a lot” while 30% say they trust the military “just a little” or do not trust them at all.
According to survey report made available to The Voice on Friday, half of the respondents think the ECOWAS Military Intervention in the Gambia (ECOMIG) should leave the country.
Afrobarometer conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, economic conditions and related issues in African countries. Its team in the Gambia, led by the Centre for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies (CepRass), interviewed 1,200 adult Gambians for the survey.
“Among key institutions and leaders in the country, the army ranks fourth in popular trust, after religious leaders (trusted “somewhat” or “a lot” by 85% of respondents), traditional leaders (71%), and the President (67%),” the survey found.
Afrobarometer survey revealed, Gambians are divided as to whether it is time for ECOMIG to leave and for the Gambia Armed Forces and Police to take charge of security.
Half (50%) of all citizens “agree” or “strongly agree” that ECOMIG has served its purpose and should leave, while 44% “disagree” or “strongly disagree” and want ECOMIG’s stay extended.
“The disparity shows that while many Gambians may be regaining confidence in the armed forces and the police, there is still a significant proportion who are reluctant to leave security matters solely to them,” the survey concluded.
ECOMIG forces is composed of troops from neighbouring Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana. They were deployed in January 2017 to restore order, following the famous political impasse when then President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after losing the December 2016 election.