The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has reaffirmed that The Gambia’s national security remains under the full authority and command of Gambians, despite the continued presence of a limited number of ECOMIG personnel in the country.
Dr. Ceesay dismissed suggestions that Gambians have lost control of their own security institutions as “misleading and incorrect,” warning that such claims risk reducing a serious national security matter to mere political propaganda.
“The facts are clear: The Gambia’s national security institutions remain Gambian-led, Gambian-commanded and subject to Gambian authority and laws,” he stated.
According to Dr. Ceesay, the Gambia Armed Forces, State Intelligence Services, Police Force, Immigration Department and other key institutions are all headed by Gambians and operate strictly within the national legal and institutional framework. He emphasized that ECOMIG’s role is one of partnership and cooperation, not control.
Regional Cooperation, Not Surrender of Sovereignty: Dr. Ceesay explained that in today’s interconnected world, threats such as terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking and drug trafficking transcend borders, requiring countries to work together. Cooperation with ECOWAS partners, he said, strengthens The Gambia’s capacity to confront these challenges while safeguarding sovereignty.
He drew parallels with international examples: NATO forces stationed in Germany and American forces in Japan, both of which coexist with strong national security institutions under sovereign governments. “The same principle applies to The Gambia,” he noted.
A Call for Responsible Debate: The Minister urged Gambians to engage in a mature and factual debate about the role and future of ECOMIG, stressing that legitimate questions about regional cooperation should not be built on the false premise that cooperation equals control.
“ECOMIG is a security partner, not a substitute for Gambian institutions. It does not determine The Gambia’s national security policy, nor does its presence diminish Gambian sovereignty,” Dr. Ceesay affirmed.
He concluded by reiterating that The Gambia’s national security remains firmly in Gambian hands.
