Security Force Assistance to The Gambia Following the 2017 Political Transition: A Recipe for Further Fragmentation?

Abstract

This research explores the role of security force assistance (SFA) in the context of political transition, through the case of The Gambia. It shows how political and military leaders have preferred ad-hoc and shorter-term SFA programmes over wider security reform efforts. The Gambia has welcomed a range of new security partnerships through foreign security advisors and small scale SFA programmes provided by states, international organizations, and NGOs. These have not converged in a clear strategy and the uncoordinated efforts risks perpetuating long-standing problems. The case demonstrates the ways SFA can lead to fragmentation and (re)focus armed forces on presidential protection.