By Makutu Manneh
A coalition of thirteen civil society organizations urged the Gambian government this week to accelerate long-delayed security sector reforms, warning that political inertia and institutional resistance threaten to erode public confidence nearly a decade after the country’s democratic transition.
At a press briefing in Banjul, the coalition presented a joint position paper that was recently submitted to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Office of the President. The paper assesses the state of The Gambia’s Security Sector Reform (SSR) process and outlines recommendations for restoring momentum to a reform agenda that many say has stalled.
Reading the statement on behalf of the group, Essa Sanneh, program assistant at the Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment, said the SSR agenda remains incomplete despite clear policy commitments. He attributed the slow pace to “political hesitation and fragmented implementation,” adding that the government’s promises have yet to translate into sustained institutional change.
Mr. Sanneh commended the government for outlining its reform vision through the 2019 National Security Policy and the 2022–2024 Security Sector Reform Strategy. Yet, he said, “tangible efforts have been slow and uneven, reflecting enduring challenges such as political interference, inadequate coordination, and resistance within security institutions.”
He warned that the widening gap between policy and practice threatens to erode Gambians’ confidence in the security apparatus and put at risk the hard-won democratic gains and national peace.
Sanneh underscored that their collective vision is to establish a security sector that not only safeguards citizens but also serves them with professionalism, respect for human rights, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. He expressed hope that the position paper would enrich national discussions on security reform and help shape policies that sustain peace, justice, and democratic resilience.
“This position paper,” he said, “seeks to catalyze a renewed political will and collaborative engagement between the government, National Assembly, security agencies, oversight institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to advance the SSR agenda.”
Lamin Dibba, Executive Director of the Center for Budget and Macroeconomic Transparency (CBMT), used the event to renew calls for an urgent review of the Public Order Act. He argued that the law has been misused by the police to oppress citizens, restrict public assembly, and suppress legitimate dissent.
“So even to fight against corruption, to protest against corruption, is almost not possible because of the Public Order Act. It is one law that we must get rid of if we want to ensure transparency and accountability in this country and if we want to put our law enforcers in check,” Dibba noted.
The coalition of civil society organizations concluded that The Gambia’s SSR process stands at a critical crossroads. While acknowledging the existence of sound policy frameworks and support from international partners, they noted that the transformative changes envisioned by Gambians remain largely unfulfilled.