Africa-Press – Gambia. Civil society organisations (CSOs) have renewed their push for stronger oversight and citizen participation in Gambia’s ongoing Security Sector Reform (SSR) process, as a five-day capacity-building workshop kicked off Monday in Banjul.
The training which runs from June 30 to July 4 at Metzy Hotel, is convened by TANGO, the national civil society umbrella body, with technical support from the Centre for Research and Policy Development (CRPD). The initiative is funded through the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Programme, supported by the German government and the European Union.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, ECOWAS Resident Representative Madam Lily Miatta French commended the Gambia for its progress but urged stakeholders not to lose momentum. “Security governance must be effective and accountable to the people. Civil society has a vital role in making this a reality,” she said.
The German Ambassador to The Gambia, H.E. Klaus Boltez, echoed the same sentiment, stressing that government alone cannot deliver comprehensive reform without listening to citizens. “Civil society gives people a voice and helps make security institutions accountable and responsive,” he noted.
Representing the European Union, Enya Braun emphasised that lessons from elsewhere including Northern Ireland’s policing reforms show that public trust grows when civil society shapes security reforms. She encouraged Gambian CSOs to stay engaged and coordinated.
Colonel Omar Bojang, Deputy National Security Advisor, described the workshop as timely, highlighting the government’s commitment to building a professional security sector that protects citizens’ rights rather than instilling fear. “Since 2017, we have made real progress. We no longer see arbitrary arrests or detentions without trial. That is because of our collective effort and support from our partners,” he said.
Bojang also stressed that security reform is not a one-off event but a continuous journey that needs strong collaboration. He encouraged civil society actors to continue holding institutions accountable and to share outcomes from the training to guide the next steps.
Over the five days, participants will reflect on Gambia’s SSR journey, identify challenges, and develop practical strategies for more effective civil society engagement. Organisers say the goal is to ensure reforms are transparent, inclusive and firmly rooted in democratic values.
The workshop brings together key players from civil society, government, ECOWAS, the EU, and GIZ, all working to strengthen security governance for a peaceful and stable Gambia.
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