By Makutu Manneh
Senior security officials have sought to reassure Gambians that the country remains peaceful and stable, saying there is no immediate cause for alarm despite public concerns about safety and isolated security incidents.
Ousman Sowe, director general of the State Intelligence Agency, and Demba Sowe, deputy inspector general of police, made the remarks during a panel discussion on GRTS, where they addressed the country’s security situation and growing public perceptions about safety.
Ousman Sowe said the overall security environment remains stable, allowing Gambians and foreign residents to go about 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.
During the discussion, the host raised concerns that, despite assurances from security officials, some members of the public believe the country is not as safe as it once was.
Demba Sowe echoed the intelligence chief’s assessment, saying available security data indicates that the situation remains generally calm.
He acknowledged that public perceptions are mixed and that some recent incidents have heightened concerns. But he cautioned against interpreting isolated cases as evidence of a broader deterioration in national security.
“There are isolated incidents that become concerning,” he said, adding that some public narratives surrounding such events may not accurately reflect the country’s overall security situation.
“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. There is a lot of energy and time put in ensuring that the trajectory is sustained, and this, to an extent, has to do with the interagency cooperation and coordination,” he stated.
He attributed the relative stability partly to increased cooperation and coordination among the country’s security agencies, saying significant resources and effort are being devoted to maintaining the current security environment.
Asked why concerns about insecurity persist, Demba Sowe said perceptions are often shaped by individual experiences and reactions to particular incidents. The same event, he said, can be interpreted differently by different people and may not always reflect the broader security picture.
He urged the public to seek verified information from the relevant authorities when security incidents occur rather than relying on speculation or unverified accounts.
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