Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Seedy Mukthar Touray welcomed a high-level delegation from the British High Commission, led by Mr. Paul Jenkins of the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), to Police Headquarters on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in tackling serious organized crime, cross-border criminal activities, and advancing ongoing security sector reforms in The Gambia.

Key Areas of Cooperation Identified

During the meeting, both parties highlighted critical areas for joint action, including combating fugitive crimes, human trafficking, and exploitation. Mr. Jenkins underscored the importance of capacity-building initiatives to enhance the Gambian Police Force’s (GPF) ability to respond effectively to organized crime.

Addressing cross-border migration crimes and counter-terrorism also featured prominently in the discussions. The British delegation emphasized intelligence-sharing and operational collaboration as pivotal tools in addressing these transnational challenges.

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) for Crime, representing the GPF, expressed gratitude for the visit, noting the significance of clear frameworks for cooperation. He mentioned that the delegation had engaged with the Technical Working Group (TWG) to fine-tune strategies for information and intelligence sharing.

Commitment to Capacity Building

The IGP emphasized the transformative role of capacity building in the GPF’s development, highlighting it as a cornerstone of their ongoing reform efforts. “A safer Gambia is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to working closely with international partners to achieve that goal,” he stated.

The UK delegation, in turn, commended the GPF for its proactive stance on international collaboration, recognizing its critical importance in tackling the increasingly complex nature of cross-border criminal activities.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to advancing cooperation in intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and tackling organized crime, human trafficking, and terrorism.

This visit marks a promising step in The Gambia’s quest to modernize its security frameworks and strengthen its response to organized crime, signaling robust international support for its reform agenda.