National Counter Terrorism Strategy
The security institutions of The Gambia need rationalising, modernising and further professionalising in shape, form and mindset. A culture of collaborative working across the security community, built on trust and understanding, is essential to bring about the necessary reform.
The ONS will empower SSR by helping lead and coordinate security reform activities aimed at building trust in the security community; trust in its people, in its knowledge, in its plans and in its preparedness. We will continue to work with the security community to build; trust in its people, in its knowledge, in its plans and in its preparedness to protect the people of The Gambia.
The reform of the security sector is a complex and sensitive process. Whilst work has begun some aspects of the reform may take many years to achieve. Work on reforming the Gambian security sector started immediately following the appointment of HRH President Barrow and will continue for many years ahead. The 2020 – 2024 Security Sector Reform Strategy maps out the future priorities and phases of the SSR process.
What is SSR?
- Whilst there are many definitions of SSR, they all share core features:
- Democratic accountability ¦ Good governance ¦ Respect for rule of law ¦ Operational effectiveness ¦ Respect for human rights
- The United Nations and EU policies on SSR can be viewed here (UN) and here (EU)
In the video below, former UNDP Senior SSR Adviser to The Gambia, Brigadier Kellie Konteh (Now Minister of Defence for Sierra Leone), gives his own personal account of the need for SSR based on his experiences in his home country:
The reform of the security sector in The Gambia is considered to be a national priority and as such warrants a high level Steering Committee (SC) which is made up of senior members of government as well as international Ambassadors. In 2019 the Minister of Justice and Attorney General was appointed as Chair of the SC. The current SC is the Honourable Abubacarr Marie Tambadou.