New Civil Society–Security Platform Launched to Deepen Security Sector Reform in The Gambia

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia has taken another step in its Security Sector Reform (SSR) process with the launch of the Civil Society–Defence and Security Institutions Platform, a new mechanism designed to strengthen collaboration, transparency and accountability between security institutions and civil society.

The platform, launched in partnership with the Office of National Security (ONS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Civil Society Coalition on SSR, aims to institutionalise regular dialogue on national security issues while promoting public trust and democratic governance.

Speaking at the launch, UNDP Head of Governance and Peacebuilding Sainey Ceesay said sustainable security reform cannot be achieved by security institutions acting alone, stressing that lasting change depends on strong partnerships with citizens.

“At its core, security sector reform is about building security institutions that are effective, professional, accountable, and fully committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law,” Mr. Ceesay said.

He described the platform as timely, particularly as The Gambia prepares for the 2026 presidential election and the 2027 National Assembly and local government elections.

According to him, the mechanism will enable civil society and security institutions to jointly identify electoral risks, promote human rights, prevent gender-based violence, and combat hate speech, misinformation and disinformation.

Mr. Ceesay said the platform would provide a structured space for dialogue, joint problem-solving and mutual learning, helping to strengthen public confidence in the country’s security institutions.

Chairperson of the Civil Society Coalition on SSR, Nfamara Jawneh, described the launch as a landmark achievement in strengthening democratic governance and cooperation between state institutions and civil society.

“The launch of this platform should not be viewed as the end of a process, but rather as the beginning of a stronger and more structured partnership between civil society and defence and security institutions,” Mr. Jawneh said.

He reaffirmed civil society’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the country’s security sector reform agenda, saying inclusive and participatory reforms are essential to building sustainable peace and national security.

Mr. Jawneh said the platform would promote civic engagement, strengthen accountability, amplify community voices, and help ensure national security policies are informed by the lived experiences of Gambians.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Senior Policy Analyst at the Office of National Security Awa Jobe said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to institutionalising cooperation between security institutions and civil society in line with the National Security Council Act, the National Security Policy, and the National Security Sector Reform Strategy.

“Today is not the end of a process. It is the beginning of a new partnership, a partnership built on dialogue rather than suspicion, founded on trust rather than division, and driven by our shared responsibility to safeguard the peace, security and democratic future of our country,” Madam Jobe said.

She said the platform would provide a formal framework for regular engagement, coordination and collaboration, moving beyond ad hoc consultations to a permanent mechanism for improving national security governance.

Madam Jobe added that the success of the initiative would not be measured by the number of meetings held, but by tangible improvements in public confidence, accountability and the quality of security services delivered to Gambians.

The launch comes at a key stage in The Gambia’s democratic transition, with the implementation of the National Security Act 2025 and broader security sector reforms aimed at transforming the country’s defence and security institutions into professional, accountable and people-centred services.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that stronger cooperation between government, civil society and development partners will be essential to addressing emerging security challenges, protecting human rights and ensuring peaceful elections in the years ahead.

The platform is expected to convene quarterly dialogues and annual consultations, creating a permanent avenue for collaboration, policy engagement and joint action to advance security sector reform and strengthen democratic governance in The Gambia.