The Sierra Leone’s National Security Coordinator Brig. Gen. (Rtd) John A.O. Jah-Tucker welcomed the delegation and thanked them for choosing Sierra Leone as a suitable country to interface and share experience on matters relating to the transformation of the Security sector of the Gambia. He said security reform was a key component to national peace and development. He said security sector reforms in Sierra Leone has been exhibited in the level of gains and Democratic Governance including a successful conduct of a Democratically General elections without international peacekeeping assistance. And that, they were determine to work hard to not only preserve those gains but to further improve on them relying on collaboration and cooperation within the Security sector.

Led by the Gambian National Security Adviser, Momodu Badjie said the choice of Sierra Leone was simply because Sierra Leone is one of the Countries that have recorded a tremendous and successful Security Sector reforms. He said the purpose of the visit to Sierra Leone was to strengthen and build cooperation with collaboration in matters of defense and Security, but also, in Security sector reform processes. Stating that, the Government of the Gambia is using Security sector reforms as fundamental element of comprehensive state building.

The Chief Minister on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone said in his opening remarks that the Country’s Security Sector Reform programme was a test case as the wind of Security sector reform that was blowing across the continent. Stating that, the Reform has been regarded as a success story. He side Sierra Leone has always been profiled by international community when it comes to security issues in Africa. Referring to Sierra Leone as the best example when it comes to robust peacekeeping, he thanked the Gambia delegation for considering Sierra Leone as a country they should rely on to build their national security. He assured them of the government’s fullest support.