By Omar Bah
The director general of the Gambia State Intelligence Service, Ousman Sowe has reaffirmed his office’s commitment to the ‘no more excesses’ policy to uphold basic human rights and freedom.
“Gone are the days of unlawful harassment, intimidation, arrests and detention with impunity. People are free to get on with their activities as long as it is within the law and doesn’t threaten national security”, DG Sowe said at a meeting in Banjul marking the end of his countrywide tour.
However, the SIS DG also advised Gambians against subjecting the country’s healing process to any form of trepidation that could reverse the hard-earned gains.
“We will encourage Gambians to nurture the peace and stability that exists in the country on which hinges all other aspirations including national prosperity, meaningful and sustainable development. This well attended meeting is testimony of the reforms undertaken at the SIS on its ‘no more excesses’ stance that ensures the service operates purely within its mandate,” he added.
DG Sowe also expressed his office’s unflinching support to the security sector reform process and reaffirmed his commitment to reform and reposition the SIS to commiserate with the desired SSR objectives.
He said the ongoing security sector reform process will provide a comprehensive national security policy document that will undoubtedly make security management a much simpler task.
Also speaking at one of the meetings, Col. Jawneh, the State Guard Commander commended the Ecomig for their dedication and professionalism and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
The Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe thanked DG Sowe for his initiative to involve local communities in security management and ownership.
This according to her is a fundamental departure from the dreaded and immediate predecessor of SIS, NIA. She assured SIS of her Council’s full support and cooperation in that endeavor.
The SIS DG was on an assessment tour of the country’s security designed to consolidate the SIS national security belt initiative (NSBI).
Meanwhile, during the tour, the SIS boss also held talks with the National Security Adviser, Momodou Badjie at State House, the Banjul Mayor, Councilors of BCC, committee of Banjul Muslim elders, regional governors, religious leaders, district chiefs, regional security heads, students and cross section of the communities on the importance of peace and stability.
