Delivering his address at the just concluded 57th Ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States held in Niamey Republic of Niger Monday, 7th September, the President of the Gambia His Excellency Adama Barrow has disclosed that the previous government (of The Gambia) had molded the security apparatus of the country to serve as a repressive mechanism.
President Adama Barrow stated “as such, a range of uncertainties, including right sizing and profiling the Armed Forces, matters of disarmament and demobilisation of troops remain complicated matters to address.”
He added: “As the reform process is ongoing, Government and its partners need to work with caution in order to complete the process successfully. For these reasons, the presence of ECOMIG in the country will be a stabilising factor, while providing, at the same time, the required capacity building support for the viable implementation of the sector reforms.”
He pointed out that given the reforms underway and the need to protect the fragile democracy in The Gambia, “I avail myself this privilege to request for the extension of the mandate of ECOMIG in The Gambia.”
President Barrow went on that it should be noted that country security sector reform is at an advanced stage and, for the first time, an audit exercise has been conducted in the army and a policy developed.
He further expressed his government’s satisfaction with the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations in the sub-region, which focuses on operations within agreed terms of engagement.
He therefore commended Member States and the Commission for the smooth operations of ECOMIG in The Gambia country.
He told the forum that African Union and other partners have provided expertise to help the Gambia restructure the security architecture.
“On the other hand, this august body has mandated ECOMIG to execute a stabilisation mission in The Gambia. Their mandate has been extended periodically, thus guaranteeing the stability needed for the Government to undertake meaningful inclusive socio-economic development for all Gambians,” President said.
