Amid calls for the free movement of goods and services, let’s be aware that this has also resulted in a surge in transnational crime especially in the West African subregion.
The nature and manner in which our borders appear, pose serious threats in the country’s attempt to fight clandestine activities along our borders.
Porous borders always serve a futile ground when it comes to trans-border criminal activities such as human trafficking, smuggling, drug trafficking, arm robbery, money laundering, and illicit arms trafficking, resulting in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Also, it is important to highlight here the issue that African governments have in managing their borders are exacerbated by globalization, thus calling for a strong mechanism to tackle complex security threats.
In our yesterday’s edition, we reported that the Gambia’s Minister for Defence has stated that the understanding between the Armed Forces of Gambia and Senegal through renewed cooperation and partnership is the way forward in confronting crimes and insecurity in the region.
Sering Modou Njie was speaking recently at a joint military committee meeting between the two countries.
However, the establishment of this Joint Military and the Joint Defence and Security Committee was recommended during the 3rd Presidential Council Meeting held in the country.
It is a fact that there exist numerous border challenges that require immediate response.
Most of the time, criminal syndicates would exploit the existing lapses along our porous borders to further advance their nefarious activities.
The frequent cross-border crime such as armed robbery is a cause of concern. There are instances in which these criminals take advantage of the opportunity and operate in these border communities and get away with it.
These crimes are accompanied by other illegal activities such as smuggling of people, firearms, rice and other illegal commodities.
This doesn’t only explain the proneness along ‘our common borders’, but also goes to show the frequency at which border-related crimes are retarding the socio-economic development of the two countries.
With this recent agreement, hopes are high that the two country’s security would work in earnest in strengthening and curbing cross-border crime.
Therefore, we commend the two governments for taking the bold move to ensure our borders are free from criminals. The two countries can serve as perfect examples to the rest of the region in view of our close ties and similarities in cultures.
Let’s always bear in mind that the two Heads of State have built a fraternal and friendly relationship and thus, it is incumbent on citizens to nurture and preserve it with full commitment to the cause.