EU Ambassador calls for proper handling of security sector reforms

Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The European Union Ambassador in Gambia, Atila Lajos, has called for the proper handling of country's security sector reforms (SSR) for the programme to succeed.

He warmed that without a strong political engagement from key decision-makers the SSR would fail regardless of the resources and technical expertise invested in it.

“Without a strong political engagement from key decision-makers now, SSR will fail regardless of the resources and technical expertise invested in it,” he said on Wednesday at the opening of forum on the SSR.

According to him, he truly believes that the SSR can only be implemented if the country takes responsibility for its future, saying SSR has to be led and owned by Gambians.

“Only real political leadership can guide the reform process toward the achievement of a clearly designated objective,” he noted.

However, he noted, many are saying government won’t attain its security goals.

Lajos affirmed that very few people would have believed three years ago that change would be possible in the country ruled by dictator Yahya Jammeh, yet the country made history by ousting him.

“So, now don’t tell me change isn’t possible. Gambians learned thus they know change is possible,” he stated.

According to him, he has not seen any "visible reform" in the last three years in the security sector, adding what he has seen is “increasing public and institutional frustration with perceived and lack of progress and leadership”.

“I see the unwillingness to prioritise areas within the Security Sector for fast-track reform and I see how this is undermining public support and the long-term sustainability of the process and I see a situation worsened by the absence of guidance and communication from the highest level.”

He warned that he also sees how easy it would be to slip back into the "old nation".

-0- PANA MSS/MA 28Aug2019