Speaking during a consultation seminar with DCAF and The Gambia Immigration Department held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo, Minister Sonko recalled that The Gambia launched a Security Sector Reform (SSR) agenda in 2017 when The Gambia government democratically came to power.
“The reform aims to ensure an effective and accountable security sector under democratic control with respect for human rights and fundamental principles of good governance and gender mainstreaming,” he added.
Sonko continued that the objective of the reform was identified as addressing the gaps, deficiencies, and challenges faced by the security sector with the view to restructure and cultivate an effective, professional, apolitical, and accountable sector.
He added that for many years, The Gambia underwent an authoritarian regime and now has the desire to shift from a state-centric to human security, human rights and most importantly to a democracy.
“As a democracy, the Gambian government is committed to enhancing the accountability of its security institutions for the prosperous Gambia.”
“The SSR in The Gambia was triggered by an Assessment Report in 2017. This report recommends specific reform activities in the form of priority areas to help the government of The Gambia to restructure the security sector,” he averred.
