By Adama Nyang
The Gambia Security Sector Reform Process was on Wednesday, 22nd November officially launched at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Bijilo.
The launched Gambia security sector reform process is meant to improve security, migration, and border management.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Interior Hon. Seyaka Sonko emphasized that the project will play a significant role in enhancing more effective and responsive security in The Gambia.
He continued by thanking the EU and DCAF for their support and facilitating the project while urging them to extend such projects to other security sectors in the Gambia.
The EU Ambassador to the Gambia, H.E. Corrado Pampaloni in his statement said, “I stand before you today with a sense of pride and anticipation as we officially launch this new project, this initiative funded by the European Union marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment enhancing security and stability in the Gambia.”.
He noted that they were not just providing financial assistance but “We are contributing expertise and resources that are important for the successful realization of this initiative.”
This project, he noted, is a vital component of the new security reform, complementing other endeavors like the GIZ project and the technical assistance provided to the Office of National Security.
He went on further saying that security reform is of significant importance with the trust and citizens’ support and maintaining the democratic institutions and security forces is significant in the national reconciliation progress.
Head of DCAF Banjul office, Ken Isaac stated that DCAF has been dedicated to making states and people safer for more effective and complete security and justice, local ownership, human rights, and demographic control.
Mr. Isaac added that DCAF has been instrumental in shaping security reform policy and programming around the world. And has been actively supporting the Gambia exercise in the process of the Gambia security reform since 2017, by providing technical expertise to facilitating consultants processing and offering certified guidance.
Further to that, he disclosed that DCAF’s collaboration with the Gambia signifies a commitment to building a security apparatus that is responsive to the needs of the population and operates within the peripheral of democratic government. Also, DCAF has successfully delivered several projects in supporting the exercise including the recently concluded EU-funded GPF project, the security reform strategy from August 2021 to 2023, the ECOWAS project in supporting the government election in the Gambia 2021 to 2022, and the ongoing security reform project, migration and border management project.
