Africa-Press – Gambia. The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), under the patronage of The Gambia’s Minister of Defence, on Wednesday launched a 15-day counterterrorism training program for designated Gambian security personnel at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The training forms part of IMCTC’s strategic initiative, which aims to strengthen member states’ capacities to combat terrorism and address evolving security challenges. The program focuses on enhancing both strategic and operational preparedness in line with international counterterrorism standards.
Participants include field commanders, officers, and strategic planning experts drawn from across The Gambia’s security sector. Over the two-week period, they will undergo intensive sessions designed to build skills in prevention, rapid response, and coordinated strategic planning against terrorist threats.
In his opening remarks, Defence Minister Baboucarr Joof underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose grave risks not only to national security but also to regional stability and global peace.
He urged participants to fully commit to the training and to apply the knowledge gained in strengthening the country’s security architecture.
“Hosting this training underlines our dedication to equipping our security forces with the requisite knowledge, skills, and strategic perspectives necessary to confront modern threats,” Minister Joof said.
Also speaking at the launch, IMCTC Secretary-General Mohammed Bin Saeed Al-Mghaidi said the Competence Initiative seeks to develop the skills and capabilities of personnel engaged in counterterrorism operations and to foster the exchange of field experience among member states. He emphasized that the program is part of a comprehensive framework encompassing 15 strategic initiatives across IMCTC’s four operational domains.
“The launch of IMCTC’s strategic initiatives today in the Republic of The Gambia reflects the depth of partnership and coordination among member countries in confronting terrorism and extremism in all its forms. Terrorism knows no borders and makes no distinction between peoples; it threatens human security and the stability of societies worldwide,” he said.
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