Excerpt of President Barrow’s address on national security 

“It is my primary duty as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to keep this country safe; therefore, let me assure you all that I will discharge my responsibilities, both day and night, without fear, favour, ill-will or affection.
 
My government will continue to do everything possible to boost the capacity of The Gambia Police Force and other internal security services, in relation to personnel, equipment and training, in order to enhance their response capability to all threats and crimes.  
 
We are aware that the country will soon enter into a new electoral cycle, beginning with the Presidential election in December of this year.
This precedes the Legislative and Local Government elections. As we all know, free and fair elections can only be held in a secure atmosphere, free from fear and intimidation.  
 
Accordingly, I call upon the requisite organs of the State - the Judiciary, Legislature and the media - to play their roles and complement one another to nib the surging crime rate in the bud.  
 
By the same token, I invite our development partners, both bilateral and multilateral, to support Government efforts to provide and maintain a secure and safe environment for the upcoming election and for the wellbeing of everyone in The Gambia.  
 
As a final warning to the criminals and bandits in our midst, I hereby order the National Guard Unit of the Armed Forces to be on standby for deployment, when needed, to assume police duties, as provided for under the National Guard Unit Police Duties Regulations. Together with all citizens, we must never allow The Gambia to be a safe haven for criminal acts and banditry.
 
Under these circumstances, I am duty-bound to remind and call upon all well-meaning Gambians and residents of The Gambia to equally take their own security seriously.  
 
This is not about politics. Crime is not a political matter and, therefore, should not be politicised. Let us join forces to eliminate crime and expel all criminals from our communities”.