By: Nyima Sillah
The IOM offices in The Gambia and Senegal in coordination with the ministries of the interior and border authorities of the two countries on Thursday established a Cross-Border Inter-Agency Border Coordination Committee (CBIABCC).
The committee was established to strengthen the institutional, technical, and operational capacities of border agencies, and increase their cooperation, coordination, and regular information exchange for effective cross-border security.
The project, being funded by the UN Peace Building Fund Project, is jointly implemented by the IOM in The Gambia and Senegal, and offices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (WFP) in The Gambia and Senegal. It targets the land border posts of Giboro-Seleti, Mesira-Senoba, and Tabanding-Patah.
The main objective of the project is to address the causes of instability and conflict in border communities of The Gambia and Senegal, which include weak border management practices, fuelingmistrust between border authorities and communities; rising transnational organized crimes such as smuggling of migrants, arms, timber, and drugs as well as trafficking in persons; and illegal exploitation of natural resources leading to environmental degradation.
In her statement, the Gambia Immigration Department Rep. Superintendent Binta K.J Barrow highlighted the importance of the meeting, saying the committee would be a great support to both countries.
“This project in both countries and the inter-agency border coordination committee is not a new thing to us because it has been established since 2019 at various border points. Our coming together and sharing information will help us in mitigating transnational organized crime, which is a common problem among us,” she stated.
“I believe, at the end of the session, it will be very valuable for both The Gambia and Senegal,” Supt.Barrow said.
IOM’s Ousman George Badjie pointed out that the committee will support the security officers of both countries in terms of rapid coordination.
“We are separated by the border but we are the same people. So, having this committee will have a positive impact in our borderline areas and such coordination also helps to obtain information to combat smuggling of migrants and trafficking in person,” Mr. Badjie pointed out.
He also gave background to the committee and encouraged the presence of security and border authorities in such gatherings.