European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Atila Lajos, has stated that the progress of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) will influences the stay of the region the ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia (ECOMIG)
He disclosed that EU was responsible for bankrolling the previous ECOMIG mandate in the country that ended last month, adding that his office is not aware of any new ECOWAS request to the EU for the funding of the new ECOMIG mandate lasting up to March 2020.
“We learnt that the latest mandate of ECOMIG forces approved by the ECOWAS is lasting for just six month, this is what we know for sure but I cannot speculate whether ECOWAS authorities will vote against the ECOMIG mandate come next March or that is a decision for the future. However, I do believe this is an indication that the progress of the SSR needs to be improve before ECOMIG mandate ends in March of 2020,” Ambassador Lajos stated.
He made the statement at a president hosted by European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) on October 10, 2019 where he said the appointment of capable people in both the defense and Interior ministries has started changing the dynamics of the entire SSR process.
“Indeed, we believe progress in SSR influences and impact the stay of ECOMIG forces in the country. They are co-related and we have to make sure that we made these recommendations to the government that the bold decisions of rationalizing in the SSR are made during the period when ECOMIG forces are still here,” said Ambassador Lajos.
He observed that since the end of summer the Security Sector Reform (SSR) has seen visible dynamics especially with the appointment of a new Defense Minister and Interior Minister for the country, adding that these new appointments by government as well the political commitment of SSR will no doubt gain progress in the process.
“I believe appointing capable people in these key positions of defense and interior will bring new dynamics into the SSR process. Beyond these new appointments is the two drafting teams that are also busy with the drafting of the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the Security Sector Strategy (SSS) and has started changing the dynamics in the entire SSR process,” EU Ambassador stated.
According to him, the drafting teams are progressing well and are supposed to come up with strategic papers sometimes soon, noting that if these works couple with tangible follow-up actions there will be good chances for gaining again in the whole SSR exercise.