Jallow said ECOMIG’s deployment was not based on a bilateral agreement between The Gambia and Senegal, but rather a multilateral arrangement under ECOWAS.
“As far as ECOMIG is concerned, it’s not a bilateral agreement, it’s a multilateral agreement with ECOWAS being supported by other partners,” he said.
The Vice President explained that ECOMIG is made up of Senegalese, Nigerian and Gambian contingents, with its command under ECOWAS.
He said the regional body continuously assesses the need for ECOMIG to remain in The Gambia and could withdraw the troops if it determines that their presence is no longer necessary.
“On an annual basis, on a continuous basis, ECOWAS is continuing to assess the need for their presence,” the VP told MPs.
He added that the troops would be withdrawn at the appropriate time if ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Gambian government, determines that they are no longer needed.
The issue of ECOMIG’s continued presence also raised concerns among lawmakers over the country’s reliance on external support for security.
One MP questioned whether depending on foreign forces could eventually create a security crisis, drawing a comparison with The Gambia’s reliance on external sources for electricity.
The Vice President rejected the suggestion that the country had outsourced its security needs.
“I don’t agree with the Honorable Member that we are outsourcing our security needs,” he said.
Another MP asked whether ECOMIG had committed any actions against ECOWAS protocols in The Gambia. Jallow said he was not aware of any such activities.
Lawmakers also questioned whether ECOMIG had served its purpose after almost a decade in the country, but the Vice President maintained that the decision on its continued presence ultimately rests with ECOWAS through its assessment process.
