By Mama A. Touray
A three-day national dialogue on security reform gets underway at Bakadaji Hotel with the main aim of implementing recommendations emanating from a roundtable discussion with CSO’s held on 1st September, 2023.
The key themes revolve around: Dialogue on Security Sector Reform Strategy, National Security Policy, National Security Strategy, and National Defense Policy with civil society organizations (CSO’s).
The Office of the National Security in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have organized the meeting.
Speaking during the opening of the convergence yesterday, National Security Adviser, AbubakarrSuleiman Jeng said the national dialogue workshop was focused on the development of a platform that would facilitate and enhance effective coordination between the Office of the National Security and civil society organizations on the security sector reform process.
“Invariably, the platform to be established will accord civil society, security institutions and office of the national security representatives, to engage in meaningful discussions on the security sector reform and thereby leverage on its prospects. Identify challenges that may potentially impede progress and thus chart way forward in the successful implementation of this important program,” he added.
Mr. Jeng renews government’s commitment to the security sector reform process and assures that the government will continue to demonstrate political will and leadership, correspondingly inclusive while stating that his office ONS is mandated to lead the SSR process will continue to collaborate and partner with citizens of which CSO’s could play a vital role as important stakeholders.
He thanked ECOWAS for their continued support they are rendering the Gambia Government since the introduction of the SSR process to restructure the security sector in the Gambia.