The assurance came from Ousman Sowe, director general of the State Intelligence Agency, and Demba Sowe, deputy inspector general of police, during a panel discussion on GRTS focused on the country’s security situation and public perceptions of safety.
Ousman Sowe said the security situation remains stable, with Gambians and foreign residents able to continue with their daily activities without undue concern.
“We are not seeing in the immediate any cause for undue alarm as far as the security environment is concerned,” he said.
His comments followed concerns raised during the discussion that some members of the public no longer feel the country is as safe as it used to be.
Demba Sowe said the available security data also points to a generally calm situation, although he acknowledged that recent incidents have contributed to growing concerns among the public.
He said isolated incidents should not necessarily be taken as a sign that the country’s wider security situation is deteriorating.
“There are isolated incidents that become concerning,” Demba Sowe said, noting that some of the public narratives around such incidents may not accurately represent the overall security picture.
He gave a direct assurance to both citizens and foreigners living in the country.
“But what I can assure Gambians and non-Gambians in The Gambia is there is no cause for fear as far as the security of the country is concerned,” he stated.
Demba Sowe said the security agencies are putting considerable time and effort into keeping the current situation stable. He pointed to cooperation and coordination among the different security agencies as part of what is helping to sustain the country’s security trajectory.
The police deputy chief also addressed why concerns continue to persist despite the assurances from security authorities.
He said people’s perceptions are often influenced by their personal experiences and how they respond to particular incidents. According to him, the same incident can generate different interpretations and may not necessarily provide a picture of the wider national security situation.
He urged the public to rely on verified information from the relevant authorities whenever security incidents occur, rather than speculation or unverified accounts that could further fuel fears.
