UNDP & ONS train Inter-Party Committee on Security Sector Reform

The training, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, brought together representatives from different political parties in The Gambia. 

The session was aimed at enhancing participant’s understanding and engagement in the ongoing Security Sector Reform process, while promoting democratic governance, inclusivity, and sustainable peace.

The two-day session also sought to strengthen accountability mechanisms by building the IPC’s capacity to monitor and advocate for transparent, inclusive, and rights-based security reforms. In addition, the event is part a broader SSR project jointly implemented by the UNDP and ONS, with financial backing from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.

Moreover, the project’s overarching goal is to build strong, accountable, and effective security institutions that uphold human rights and respond to the aspirations of the Gambian people for sustained peace in the post-transition period.

At the event, Samba Baldeh, IPC Co-chair revealed that the training provided an important platform for dialogue, experience sharing, and identifying solutions to critical security challenges in the country. 

The objective of the training, he added, was to deepen participant’s understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with SSR and to create a collaborative space for stakeholders to share knowledge, best practices and lessons learned.

Thomas Kimaru, UNDP Project Manager, described the event as a significant step toward fostering inclusive SSR processes. 

He reiterated the UNDP’s commitment to supporting security reform in the country, further highlighting the importance of inclusive platforms in building public trust in security governance and ensuring accountability.

“Today’s session provides a valuable platform to reflect on the progress made in security sector reform, confront the challenges that remain, and explore practical solutions for a sustainable and inclusive reform process.” Kimaru said.

He reminded participants of their roles in politics, pointing out that civil society organisations and other stakeholders are vital not only in contributing to the design and implementation of SSR, but also in promoting accountability, inclusivity, and safeguarding human rights.

For his part, Abubakarr Sulayman Jeng, National Security Adviser encouraged participants to make the most of the training by actively participating and applying the knowledge gained in their political and institutional roles.

 “I urge all participants to engage actively in the discussions over the next two days. Your insights and contributions are important as we work together to advance security sector reform and foster a security sector that reflects the values of democracy, inclusivity and accountability,” he added.

“We are taxpayers and recipients. We are subordinate to you. We are answerable to you and we recognise and value this. I can assure you that we will always remain accountable to you and provide security service to the country as required by our mandates.”

Jeng further outlined that SSR is a shared responsibility involving all stakeholders, including political parties, which he said, play a critical role in passing and amending SSR-related legislation in the National Assembly.

Former IPC Co-chair Amul Nyassi expressed appreciation to UNDP and ONS for supporting such a crucial initiative.

He acknowledged the role of political parties in supporting peace and protecting human rights within civic spaces.

“Political parties collaborate with security institutions in advancing peace and protecting human rights in the civic space in addition to promoting inclusivity, particularly for the marginalised groups such as women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).” Nyassi stated.

He also pointed out that through their legislative functions, political parties support gender- and youth-responsive legal frameworks, including the National Security Council Bill,

the Prisons Act, and the national Constitution.