Gambian President Adama Barrow has vowed to overhaul the entire security system saying the security services are ‘polluted’, report SMBC.
Barrow also said he will separate the roiled of the country’s police from the military.
“The President said the whole system needs to be overhauled because it is polluted,” said Amie Bojang-Sisohore, the State House Press Secretary, adding “The President expressed the need for separation of roles between the police and the armed forces according to the different units.”
Gambia’s police have been overshadowed by the military and National Intelligence during the former President’s- Yahya Jammeh- rule, to instill fear. The military is said to have tortured and killed the former leader’s political opponents and perceived enemies.
Barrow, 52, was elected President, beating Yahya Jammeh in the 2016 election, bringing the end to Yahya’s rule of over 20 years.
Gambia’s security forces, especially the army and riot police have been implicated in human rights violations. The Yahya’s administration is suspected of recruiting foreigners and members of youth militia known as the Green Boys in the country’s army. This is something that the current President hopes to rectify by reforming the army and initiating a vetting process to weed out unqualified soldiers and those recruited improperly.
The EU, UN, AU and ECOWAS have pledged to help with the new government’s security reform agenda, following Barrows call for training and financial support for the security services. A call that has received interest from France, UK and Russia.
Read more: https://africa.cgtn.com/2017/05/21/gambias-president-to-overhaul-the-security-forces/
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