Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, presented a bill to the National Assembly, on Monday, June 24, 2024. The bill aims to bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of The Gambia’s security coordination, a key aspect of security sector reform.
The bill also intends to strategically position The Gambia on its geopolitical path to optimize its security and developmental interests, as outlined in the National Development Plan.
The proposed legislation addresses historical shortcomings within The Gambia’s security infrastructure, notably the lack of formal mechanisms for collaboration among security institutions prior to 2017. It underscores the need for a centralized platform to streamline national security operations and intelligence gathering, crucial for informed decision-making at the executive level.
Highlighting findings from the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Technical Working Group’s Assessment Report from August to December 2017, the bill identifies significant deficiencies within the Armed and Security Services. These include inadequate oversight mechanisms and outdated legal frameworks governing security operations.
Central to the bill is the establishment of the Office of National Security under the National Security Council, along with specialized committees within the Council. This framework aims to foster better coordination among security activities, thereby enhancing efficiency and accountability within The Gambia’s armed and security services.
In outlining the bill’s objectives, Attorney General Jallow stressed its role in positioning The Gambia strategically to safeguard national security interests and promote sustainable development.
“This framework is designed to improve coordination among national security activities and enhance the efficiency and accountability of the armed and security services in meeting The Gambia’s overall security needs,” the Bill indicated.