The Gambia Press Union (GPU) convened a one-day engagement with members of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) and the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) on the safety of journalists ahead of the 2026-2027 elections.
The July 28, 2026 engagement, supported by IFEX (a global network promoting and defending freedom of expression), forms part of the broader objective of a 12-month project on “Enhancing Physical and Digital Safety of Journalists in The Gambia”.
The dialogue brought together security personnel and representatives of journalists’ associations to enhance mutual understanding of their respective roles and explore ways of working together to ensure journalists can carry out their constitutional mandate without fear or intimidation. The engagement also seeks to improve the flow of timely, accurate and reliable election information to enable citizens to make informed decisions.
Speaking at the event, GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said that the GPU recognizes the important role security agencies play in safeguarding democratic values and human rights.
“We believe that constructive engagement with security forces will significantly enhance press freedom and freedom of expression,” he said.
In the build-up to the 2021 Presidential Elections, similar engagements or dialogues with security forces proved to be very impactful as the GPU recorded zero attacks on journalists by security forces before, during and immediately after the election.
“Despite this feat recorded in the 2021 presidential elections, the safety of journalists and media workers continues to be a major concern, with more than 18 cases of physical attacks or assault on journalists perpetrated either by the police or party militants from both sides of the political divide from 2017 to 2026,” Joof said. “While some of these assault cases are reported, and in some cases investigations launched, none has ever seen a day in court, and no one is held accountable.”
Assistant Inspector General of Police (Administration), Ebrima Bah, commended the GPU for creating a platform for dialogue ahead of the elections.
“The media occupies a unique position during elections. Journalists are the eyes and ears of the public. Your reporting shapes public understanding, informs citizens and contributes significantly to the credibility of the electoral process,” said AIG Bah, who spoke on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
He urged journalists to report accurately and responsibly, noting that misinformation, misleading headlines and unverified social media news could heighten tensions and erode public confidence in the electoral process.
In his keynote statement, Lamin K. Sanyang, Director of Press and Public Relations of the Gambia Armed Forces, said an informed public is essential to preventing insecurity and conflict during elections.
Col. Sanyang, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, described the engagement as an important opportunity to strengthen the country’s democracy and sustain positive civil-military-media relations.
“These constructive and holistic engagements lead to a well-informed security forces which ultimately fosters and enhances press freedom and promotes freedom of expression,” he said.
“Through collaborative efforts like these, it is gratifying to note that our officers, soldiers and ratings have immensely benefitted from training and sensitization initiative organised by civil society and human rights organisations as well as the Gambia Press Union at the GAF Training School.”
The GPU commends IFEX for supporting this important initiative, and the leadership of GPF and GAF for the participation in this important forum, and the continued collaboration in strengthening media-security relations.
