Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, the Gambia) – The Gambia ranks near the bottom of the latest Gallup Law & Order Index, a global survey that assesses public confidence in law enforcement, feelings of personal security, and experiences with crime over the past year. The index, which was recently released, places The Gambia alongside Liberia, the Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone as countries where trust in law enforcement is notably low.

Tajikistan emerged as the country with the highest level of confidence in law and order, with an index score of 96. In contrast, Liberia had the lowest score, at just 49, a figure largely driven by widespread crime and public distrust of the police. The Gambia’s ranking reflects similar challenges, with many respondents reporting concerns about personal safety and the effectiveness of local law enforcement.

The Gallup report highlights a significant disparity between economically developed nations and those with weaker rule of law. Countries like Finland, Iceland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Norway, and Vietnam, which all scored 92, ranked among the highest in the index. In these countries, residents reported feeling safe walking alone at night and expressed high confidence in their police forces.

Meanwhile, in regions like The Gambia, the low confidence in law enforcement is tied to incidents of theft, mugging, and general crime. Many respondents indicated that they do not trust the police to provide adequate protection or respond effectively to criminal activity. This has raised concerns about the overall strength of the country’s legal and judicial system, especially as it seeks to rebuild and reform its institutions following years of political instability.

According to the report, “In most economically developed countries and territories with strong rule of law, high majorities of residents say they feel safe walking alone in their areas at night.” The survey also noted that in countries under tighter state control, such as Kuwait, similar feelings of safety were nearly universal.

For The Gambia, improving public trust in law enforcement remains a critical issue. As the country continues to address the legacies of its past governance and rebuild key institutions, strengthening the capacity and integrity of its police force will be central to restoring citizens’ confidence in law and order.

The report serves as a reminder that while economic development plays a key role in shaping public perceptions of safety, it is equally important for governments to foster trust in legal systems and law enforcement agencies.