Civil Society Coalition Condemns Ongoing Police Brutality in The Gambia
Essa Sowe, programme officer at WAVE The Gambia, has declared that nearly a decade after The Gambia’s democratic transition, hopes for a reformed and rights-respecting security sector remain unfulfilled. The Security Sector Reform (SSR) process, once considered a cornerstone of the post-Jammeh era, has been plagued by political hesitation and recurring abuses by law enforcement.
In a new position paper, a 13-member civil society working group on transparency and accountability expressed profound concern over persistent incidents of police brutality against civilians. The group stated these events demonstrate the failure of the SSR agenda to deliver meaningful change.
Reform Process Stalled
The coalition emphasized that revitalizing The Gambia’s SSR requires renewed political courage and inclusive citizen engagement. “Reform must go beyond policy drafting to real, measurable actions that ensure accountability and human rights compliance,” the statement noted.
Launched in 2017 with international support, the reform process aimed to rebuild trust between citizens and security institutions while professionalizing armed services. Despite significant funding and well-drafted policy frameworks, progress has remained slow and fragmented.
Accountability Gap
According to the coalition, entrenched institutional resistance and political interference have undermined progress. “The gap between rhetoric and action has eroded public confidence and threatens to roll back The Gambia’s democratic gains,” the paper observed.
Citing the 2025 National Human Rights Commission monitoring report, the CSOs revealed that out of 263 accepted TRRC recommendations, only 60 have been fully implemented—with limited progress on police reform. The group highlighted ongoing instances of police violence during peaceful assemblies, referencing recent cases involving journalist Khadijah Bokum and the killing of Omar Badjie in Mandinari.
“The police’s repeated use of unnecessary and excessive force often with teargas and physical assault shows that lessons from the past have not been learned,” the statement added.
Call for Action
The working group has urged the government to implement TRRC recommendations and establish stronger accountability systems. Their proposals include creating an Independent Civilian Oversight Body for Police Accountability, merit-based appointments of the Inspector General of Police, mandatory human rights training, and integrating body-worn cameras for patrol officers.
The paper also advocates for community policing units and technology-driven oversight mechanisms to rebuild public trust.
“Transforming The Gambia’s security sector is not just a policy issue—it’s a national imperative,” the CSOs emphasized. “Without urgent reforms, the credibility of security institutions will continue to decline, undermining peace, democracy, and human rights.”
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