The
minister of Defence has lavished praises on President Adama Barrow as being the
first president to institute National Security Policy since The Gambia gained
independence in 1965.
Sheikh
Omar Faye, who had an exclusive interview with The Point, disclosed that
several other policies such as defense, immigration policies are in the
pipeline. He added that all these are geared towards maintenance of peace and
stability in the country.
Faye
reminded that security should be everybody’s business. “Without a comprehensive
national security system put in place, there will be no meaningful
development,” he argued.
He
urged Gambians to embrace the development strides of the government and
continue to enjoy the peace and tranquility with respect to human right, rule
of law and dignity.
On
Security Sector Reform, the defence minister said the process is putting
measures in place to restructure the
entire security sector. “This does not preclude in house restructuring,” he
added.
According
to him the Ministry of Defense is responsible for determining the overall
guidelines for national defence, citing supervising the activities of the Armed
Forces and implementing Defence policies and strategies. He said the ministry should therefore lead
every restructuring effort in the GAF. “Consequently, the ministry must
initiate some restructuring in order to maximise resources utilization and show
signs that it is in support of the national reform agenda.”
Defence
Minister Faye alluded to the recent concluded 33rd Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of the African Union that was held from 9th to 10th February 2020 in
Addis Abba. He said the Gambian delegation attended the AU meeting and headed
by the vice president of the Gambia.
He described the meeting as very successful as
it was centred on the theme of silencing the Gun; creating conducive condition
for Africa’s development. He described the theme as very fitting as far as
peace and stability is concerned. He thus seized the opportunity to appeal to
Gambians to exercise patience as restructuring cannot take overnight. “It is
process and things are at the final stage.”