The Gambia Police Force (GPF), in partnership with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has trained 100 security personnel in election violence prevention and security management ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
The two-week programme, which ran from 12th to 23rd October, ended on Friday at Paradise Suites Hotel. It was delivered in two cohorts of 50, with each group undergoing five days of intensive training
Participants were drawn from the Gambia Police Force, The Gambia Armed Forces, Immigration Department, Fire and Rescue Services, Prisons Service, State Intelligence Services and the Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The training was designed to strengthen capacity to prevent and respond to election-related violence, maintain public order and protect lives and property during the election.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Seedy Mukhtar Touray, Assistant Inspector General of Police for Administration, Ebrima Bah, urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their election duties.
Bah stressed professionalism, impartiality and respect for human rights in election security operations and underscored the need for effective information-sharing and cooperation among security agencies to ensure a coordinated response to threats.
He also encouraged participants to share the knowledge with colleagues to strengthen institutional capacity and improve collaboration.
Representing the KAIPTC Commandant, Course Director and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edem Agbitor, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation and professional preparedness for peaceful, credible and secure elections.
He emphasised that effective election security requires security personnel to work together, stay prepared and respond appropriately to emerging challenges throughout the electoral process.
The closing ceremony was attended by representatives of the heads of all participating security services, reflecting collective commitment to safeguarding the electoral process.
The programme was funded by the German Federal Foreign Office to strengthen capacity to manage election-related security challenges.
With the December election approaching, the training marks a key step in enhancing preparedness to prevent violence, maintain law and order and create a safe environment for voters.
The Gambia Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to building professional capacity and working closely with sister services to support a peaceful and secure election.
