By Isatou Jawara
The Director of State Intelligence Service Ousman Sowe has said that since coming to office, the current management has trained hundreds in both the Gambia and abroad and has reinforced the strategic deployment of operational personnel for effective countrywide coverage.
He said a particular emphasis is on hotspot zones to unearth and identify the underlying issues and possible negative undercurrents that ferment or spur conflict/insecurity in the country.
The Director of SIS was speaking recently when the members of the select committee of defence at the National Assembly visited the SIS on conducted tour.
According to the Director, through such intervention and operations the SIS has diffused many potential risks and threats to the Gambia which is going through a healing process.
He reminded the select committee that the Gambia, just like a healing patient, needs to be saved from trepidation, stress, pressure and exposing the country to economic, political and security vulnerabilities.
He said to enhance the responsive capability of the SIS, the service has deployed mobility assets across all major and minor posts in the country all geared towards strengthening the national security posture of the country.
He added that given the bold steps to cut-off all excesses, the service also had trainings on human rights for operatives of the service to enhance their operational skills over the period.
In the last 12 months, over 200 staff of the service have undergone training in various fields either in the Gambia or abroad.
Overall, he said the SIS in its national peace and reconciliation efforts and strategy intends to continue on constant behind-the-scene engagements with relevant stakeholders and people of influence to achieve national peace and reconciliation and harmony.
