By: Isatou Sarr
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has acquired a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle under the Joint EU-German Police Support Programme to reinforce on-going Security Sector Reform efforts.
The donated vehicle is meant to strengthen the operational capacity of GPF’s Human Rights and Professional Standards Unit (HRPSU).
The support, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, formed part of sustained EU-German assistance aimed at enhancing accountability, professional standards, and rights-based policing within the police force. Since 2019, the programme has provided critical institutional support to the HRPSU, including office furniture, computer equipment, and specialised capacity-building training for personnel.
Dr. Marion Popp, Country Component Manager, Police Programme Africa, Joint EU-German Support to the Gambia Police Force, reaffirmed the programme’s continued partnership with the GPF in strengthening internal oversight mechanisms and institutional professionalism.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, His Excellency Ambassador Klaus Botzet underscored Germany’s commitment to supporting Security Sector Reform in The Gambia. He noted that the provision of the Toyota Land Cruiser will significantly enhance the unit’s mobility, monitoring reach, and responsiveness in carrying out its oversight mandate.
Inspector General of Police Seedy Mukhtar Touray described the support as a strategic investment in strengthening internal accountability systems. He emphasised that effective human rights oversight remained central to the GPF’s transformation agenda and to building sustained public trust.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Demba Sowe also conveyed appreciation for the continued cooperation, particularly in consolidating reform gains within the Human Rights and Professional Standards Unit.
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