PHOTO: Members of the security sector reform.

By Ousman A. Marong

The government of The Gambia in collaboration with the Economic Community of West Africa States supported by the European Union National Development Program Africa Union and other partners today launched the National Security Sector Reform (SSR).

The event was funded by the EU support to Ecowas peace security, security and stability mandate project.

Following a horrific 22-years authoritative rule under ex-president Yahya Jammeh, which led to the disintegration of the security sector, The Gambia on Mond

ay 17^th June 2019 embarked on its first Security sector reform (SSR).

The event was held in “Sindola” Kanilia the birth place of ex-president Yahya Jammeh.

Delivering a keynote speech on security sector reform (SSR) Mr. Mai Ahmed Fatty special adviser to the president challenged the drafted to come up with a robust and comprehensive report at the end of the validation. He reaffirms government’s commitment in ensuring a fruitful security sector reform. “It is obligatory to government in providing protection and safety to its citizenry’s,” he remarks.

He demonstrated that the greater obligation on government is to protect its citizens, he noted. He highlighted that Security threats and public safety not to be problems facing to The Gambia alone,” he confirmed. He stated countries such as Burkina-Faso, Mali, Ghana, etc. to be faced with similar threats.

In his part Modou Badjie National security adviser to the president said government has put a lot of preparation in providing enabling environment with all-inclusiveness in order to see a free, fair, national security sector reform in the country.

“The draft document will help to identify malfunctions and loopholes in the security service,” he asserted. He emphasized that a good draft on security sector reform will give a good formulation and standardizes a good security sector for all.

Mr. Gen Tijani Golau special representative from Economic Community of West Africa State (Ecowas)revealed that the drafting must not only focus on the technical process alone.

“The drafting must be implemented by a forum of political dynamic with relevant stakeholder’s participation,” he said. He outlined the comprehensive sector report will help in the transformation of the country’s security. He added this will help the security service to be more oriented, more accountable, more responsive, etc. He concluded that this will enable the security apparatus to work accordance with the Ecowas and international standard.