EU, Others Support Gambia’s New National Security Policy And Sector Reforms

Abuja, Nigeria, 30 June, 2019

The European Union and other partners have provided funding for the development and drafting of the Gambia’s National Security Policy and Security Sector Reforms Strategies, part of the recently launched National Security Policy for the country, Gambian and EU officials said.

The policy, which provides “a robust, coherent and strategic approach to respond collectively to national security threats,” is supported by the UN, African Union, ECOWAS, an International Advisory Group and the European Union under the latter’s wide-ranging Programme on Support to the Consolidation of Peace, Democracy and Governance in the Gambia.

During the launch in Banjul on 10th June 2019, President Adama Barrow assured that the policy would address both traditional and new security threats facing the country, from border management to climate change, natural disasters, as well as economic, environmental and human security.

He expressed his appreciation to all the partners that contributed to the development of the National Policy and awarded Certificates of Commendation to their Representatives, including the ECOWAS Security and Defence Adviser, Gen. Tijani Golau, recruited under the European Union Support to ECOWAS Regional Peace, Security and Stability Mandate (EU-ECOWAS PSS) Project.

Gen. Golau explained that the new National Security Policy seeks “to strengthen management and oversight bodies of the Gambia’s security institutions for a more coherent, organised and transparent utilisation of resources and monitoring of results” following 22 years of former President Yahya Jammeh’s administration, criticised for widespread human rights violations.

Meanwhile, the Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission has also launched a national consultation on the electoral reforms funded under the EU-ECOWAS PSS Project.

The reforms will cover nominations, planned introduction of ballot paper to replace the marble balloting system, age limits for candidates, academic qualification and declaration of assets, among others