President Adama Barrow has emphasized that security is an indispensable aspect of national development.
He added that due recognition of the important link between security and national development provides a strong basis for the reforms undertaken in the security sector.
The Gambian leader made these remarks at the inaugurationceremony of police stations in the Greater BanjulArea(Serrekunda, Bundung, Bakoteh and Brusubi Child Welfare) on Monday.
He explained that the reforms aim to address the legacies of the past that continue to stain the reputation of the sector. “Our goal is to enhance the capability of the sector to efficiently respond to the security needs of the country and beyond,” Mr. Barrow stated.
“It is certain that significant achievements have been made in this regard, which include making the sector accountable to civilian authority, establishing policy frameworks and procedures, and ensuring compliance with human rights standards and the rule of law,” he explained.
The President continued: “I must observe, however, that reforming the security sector is neither easy nor straightforward. It is a long process requiring, among other things, huge capital investments to adequately address the relevant logistical, operational, and infrastructural challenges. The process also calls for gradual re-orientation of the sector personnel through continuous training and re-training.”
He added: “My government is aware of the inadequacy of training facilities within the security sector institutions. We acknowledge also that the absence of such critical infrastructure impedes the sector’s operations and performance, especially as regards the in-country provision of effective re-orientation and training programmes.”
The Gambian leader reiterated his government’s commitment to the Security Sector Reform goals and targets, adding that the establishment of standard training facilities for the police and other sector institutions remains a matter of concern and priority for his government.
He called on international partners to strongly consider supporting this endeavor, describing it as a way of attaining a sustainable solution to the numerous challenges confronting the various units of the security sector, particularly in relation to capacity building.
President Barrow commended the EU, partners and the implementing agency, GIZ, for “laudably contributing to the realization of these state-of-the-art structures”.
