By Mariam Williams
The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) has reviewed its position paper on the draft constitution of The Gambia, to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), at the NaNa Conference hall in Kanifing.
The review focused on the provisions related to the work or mandates of the security agencies. It’s aim was to provide a succinct report to the CRC by incorporating comments and feedback on the provisions of the constitution, prior to the Commission’s submission of the final draft to the Gambia government.
However, the position paper submitted majorly focused on captured discussions on two areas namely, review of the proposed structures/mandates of the security institutions, and review of the proposed rights/ accountability mechanisms.
Speaking at the review event, Mr. Pansaw Nyassi, Interim Country Head of DCAF Banjul, informed his audience that DCAF,with funding from the United Kingdom, is committed to providing support to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), in not only providing a technical review of the draft constitution but also to facilitate consultation on the draft.
He said DCAF assists partner states and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms based on international norms and good practices.
Nyassi added that the review of the proposed structures/mandates of the security institutions, looks at the various provisions of the constitution that reference security sector institutions.
This sector focused on whether there is enough clarity on the provisions, the extent of which the various provisions are appropriate, and whether there are any evident gaps in the provisions or mandates that needed to be incorporated in the constitution.
The Country Head further told the gathering that the review of the proposed rights/accountability mechanisms looks at whether the constitution provides enough opportunity and mechanisms to scrutinise, consult, oversee and hold to account the security sector institutions for their performance, conduct; but also adherence to legal provisions.
He’s optimistic that the two days review of the position paper would also serve as an opportunity to look at some of the laws and policies that might require review in their quest for a successful security sector reform, in a bid to look for possible support.
For his part, the National Security Advisor to the Presidency, Mr. Momodou Badjie, remarked that the development of a new daft constitution of the Gambia is a critical part of the overall security sector reform ( SSR) process. And as such, it has garnered significant attention amongst not only the security agencies but also a wider range of stakeholders in the SSR process, said Badjie.
The ex-senior officer of the Gambian army and diplomat went on to state that, the workshop couldn’t come at a better time considering the ongoing efforts of the government of the Gambia to undergo a holistic reform of institutions, regulatory framework and structures including the constitution of the land as “we transition from 22 years authoritarian rule to democracy”.
The National Security Adviser Badjie, therefore, urged all to put the interest of the Gambia and the people first. He charged that that any motives opposed to the welfare and general good of the Gambia and it’s citizenry “should be highly discouraged”.
