Gambian officers receive training in border security and interdiction

The week-long course started on Monday, and was sponsored by the U.S. government.

The officers represent the Gambia Immigration Department, Gambia Revenue Authority, and the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), and joined law enforcement officers from throughout Africa.

A U.S. embassy news release announced Tuesday that the focus of the course is on the importance of having a viable border interdiction strategy, and utilizing risk management techniques though inter-agency cooperation.

During the course, the participants will examine case studies on past border interdiction efforts, as well as the inherent dangers in allowing proliferation efforts to go unchecked.

The course is progressive and culminates in having the participants diagnose border security issues, the release stated.

Since 2012, the U.S. embassy in Banjul has sent more than 100 law enforcement personnel from the Gambian police force, immigration, GRA, and NDEA to training courses in the United States, Botswana, Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa.

The training sessions contributes to the development of The Gambia’s security capacity and the country’s ability to exercise sovereignty over its territorial borders.

Before departing, the group met with chargé d’affaires Richard T. Yoneoka at the U.S. embassy in Banjul, according to the release.