Gambian Security Institutions Validate Guiding Principles for Border Officials

Mr Badjie, Mr Lynch and Mr Mendy © Askanwi Media

By Michaella Faith Wright,

Gambian Security Institutions validated a set of Guiding Principles and Professional Standards for Border Officials aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability, and people-centred border management across the country’s border crossing points.

The validation event, held at Mezty Hotel on Thursday, 8th October 2026, brought together representatives from the Gambia Immigration Department, Gambia Police Force, Gambia Armed Forces, State Intelligence Services, Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gambia Revenue Authority and other institutions responsible for border management, oversight and human rights.

Opening the event, Head of Office of DCAF Banjul Mark Lynch noted, “The fact that we are represented here today goes a long way to demonstrate our institutions’ roles and responsibilities in migration and border management, as well as the confidence placed in us”.

Mr Lynch urged participants to pay close attention to the document as they worked towards its validation, noting that The Gambia operates within a region experiencing high mobility and various security challenges.

He added that while immigration management should facilitate migration and the movement of trade, increased mobility can also create challenges, including human trafficking, violence, and other illegal cross-border activities.

He further urged stakeholders to consider the broader regional security environment when reviewing the standards.

His opening remarks also highlighted findings from a participatory mapping study conducted across 13 border crossing points in all five regions of The Gambia.

One of the findings revealed that communities reported concerns, including demands for payment for documents and services that are supposed to be provided free of charge. However, they also reported positive experiences with officers who treat travellers with patience and respect and have built trust with local communities.

The consultant, Samba Badjie, said the guiding principles are designed to promote zero tolerance for corruption and strengthen accountability at border crossings.

Badjie said concerns identified during the mapping study, including officers allegedly demanding payments for services that should be free, need to be addressed through clear reporting and accountability mechanisms.

In this regard he highlighted that “the guiding principles are intended to promote zero tolerance for corruption and improve accountability at border crossings”.

He added that the validation process should help establish standards that can guide the conduct of border officials and improve the quality of services delivered to travellers and communities living around border crossing points.

The process is being implemented under DCAF’s People-Centred Border Governance Programme, in partnership with the Gambia Immigration Department and with support from the Swiss Confederation.

The validation follows a four-day workshop during which the draft principles were reviewed and tested against real-life scenarios faced by border officials.