The event, held at the SDKJ International Conference Center, attracted the country’s leading security chiefs including the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, and National Security Adviser among others.
Abubacar Jeng, National Security Adviser, underscored the importance of the gathering, saying it was to interface with the local security sub-committee to review the work they had started since 2018 as “it relates to the administration and the security planning of the upcoming OIC summit in The Gambia”.
In The Gambia, he stated, as far as the security sector and the security of the country is concerned, two forums take care of the national security of the country including the National Security Council headed by President Adama Barrow. He further said the subordinate of the National Security Council is the security management team, which comprises all the service chiefs of the eight security services that operate in the country.
“I want to reiterate that plans are in place and we have gone far in terms of administration and planning arrangements for the OIC,” he pronounced, saying: “I can stand here and authoritatively say that we will deliver a successful OIC summit.”
Alluding to providing sound security for the summit, the national security adviser added that the reputation of President Barrow is important and a concern for the international world.
Yankuba Dibba, CEO of The Gambia OIC Secretariat, stated that the Gambia stands ready to host the OIC summit, confirming that the dates are confirmed and wouldn’t be changed.
“OIC worked hard over the past six years and our programmes were divided into two, which involve hard and soft part,” he said. “Most people are aware of the hard part, which is the infrastructural development, but no matter the roads we built and the buildings and hotels we have, delegates will only come if they perceive the Gambia to be safe,” he said.
He pointed out that security is the most important aspect of such a gathering, saying the OIC, being the second largest gathering of world leaders apart from the UN General Assembly, qualifies to be given the best of attention in terms of security.
Dibba added that in their briefing with some leaders, one of the regional leaders told them to ensure that the country is safe. He assured that they are not only encouraged but very confident to have The Gambia’s top security chiefs working closely.
“We entrust our confidence and hopes in your hands (Security Chiefs) and we will accompany you along the journey and give you all the necessary support,” he said. “The executive is firmly behind your plans and they are willing to support you to make the country secure - before, during and after the conference.”
Tamsir Jassey, Chairperson of the Security Sub-Committee of the Local Organising Committee, said they had envisioned way back that when they reached a certain level of plan, it would be important they call on the security chiefs to give security plans.
He added that the committee doesn’t have any resources but all of the work they intend to do is to utilise resources from all the security apparatuses in their services.
“As it’s an internal operational matter, it’s a police led-up operation,” Jassey stated. “However, other security services will come as a supporting agency. The work of the sub-committee has been going on since 2018 in preparation for this event.”
