The
fact finding mission consisting of ECOWAS, EU, AU and the UN has briefed
President Adama Barrow on their assessment mission in The Gambia.
The
joint mission was led by former President of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Buyoya.
President
Barrow said the joint team showed the collaborative effort of the International
Community’s readiness to support The Gambia, which has raised hopes of his
government.
He
said their coming to The Gambia demonstrated their belief in the mission of his
government.
On
the areas for reform, the president said “the whole system needs to be
overhauled because it is polluted”.
On
security reforms, the president expressed the need for separation of roles
between the police and the armed forces according to the different units.
He
said the reforms should include training and financial support to inculcate
professionalism and integrity in the security sectors. He called for restructuring to go with
incentives.
President
Barrow noted that with a disciplined and professional force, “everyone will
feel secured because there will be respect for the rule of law”.
He
also said apart from security reforms, the government needs budgeting support
to undertake other reforms in the judiciary, health care, agriculture and light
manufacturing industries.
The
president added that “without reliable, affordable and accessible energy we
cannot develop as a nation”, although some people would expect immediate change
even though it is a democratic change with a new dispensation.
To
do reforms there is need for financial discipline at all levels including the
State House, President Barrow said, as he informed the team about the ongoing
financial audit exercises at the Office of the President, which “so far has
revealed that government monies where going to personal accounts”.
He
disclosed that 105 bank accounts of government belong to individual civil
servants.
He
asserted that having a majority in the National Assembly will now make it
possible to have the necessary reforms in place.
After
congratulating the president, the head of the Joint Mission, Mr Buyoya, said
ending the impasse was the success of the Gambian people, President Barrow and
Africa at large.
The
intervention of the international community is an example of how different actors
can work together in unison to support the same cause, said Mr Buyoya.
On
their mission to The Gambia, Mr Buyoya said they are responding to the request
for assistance from the Government of The Gambia in three areas, namely
security sector reform, national dialogue and economic reforms.
The
team is to assess the expectations and priorities of the government, he said,
adding that they understood the scope, challenges and the determination to
overcome them.
Mr
Buyoya said further that the Joint Security Reform Team will accompany the
government, because they “are aware that security is a sensitive matter and the
hopes are very high”.
It
was also said there is need to revisit the security sector because in security
reform there must be trust and confidence.
It
was emphasised that the change must be owned by the Gambian people.
It
is also expected that at the end of the mission a proposal will be presented to
the government with recommendations by the team.
The
EU Ambassador to The Gambia, Atilla Lajos, said he was happy to see that the
joint mission had been realized and the EU is still committed to supporting The
Gambia.
He
said the fact-finding mission will provide a framework for the re-organization
and re-structuring within a bigger master plan for the country’s
development.
The
UNDP Resident Representative Ade Mamoyane Lekoetje, in her remarks on the
occasion, said the UN and the EU are supporting the joint team with
coordination.
Source:
Office of The President
