The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Seedy Mukhtar Touray has appealed to the United Nations to expand peacekeeping deployment opportunities for officers of the Gambia Police Force (GPF), with a particular focus on missions in Cyprus and Somalia.
The request was made during a courtesy meeting with United Nations Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) in New York.
During the bilateral discussions, IGP Touray reaffirmed Gambia’s commitment to supporting international peace, security, and stability through active participation in United Nations peace operations.
He underscored the Gambia Police Force’s readiness to contribute a Formed Police Unit (FPU) to ongoing UN peacekeeping and stabilisation missions, while advocating for greater deployment opportunities for Gambian officers.
Touray specifically identified Cyprus and Somalia as priority destinations for future GPF participation, describing the proposed deployments as an opportunity for the force to strengthen its contribution to global peacekeeping efforts while enhancing the professional experience of its personnel.
The Inspector General also expressed appreciation to the UN Police Division for its continued support to the Gambia Police Force, particularly in areas of capacity building, training, and institutional development.
Responding to the request, UN Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar praised The Gambia’s consistent contributions to United Nations peace operations and commended the professionalism of Gambian police officers serving under the UN flag.
“The professionalism and dedication of Gambia Police personnel serving under the United Nations flag is highly commendable,” Shahkar said.
He assured the Gambian delegation that the United Nations would give due consideration to the Gambia Police Force for future deployments to Cyprus, Somalia, and other peacekeeping missions as operational requirements and vacancies arise.
The meeting formed part of a series of high-level engagements held during UNCOPS 2026, which brings together police leaders from across the world to discuss contemporary policing challenges, international cooperation, and the future of UN policing.
The Gambia has built a strong reputation as a contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with Gambian police officers serving in several missions over the years. Securing additional deployment opportunities would further strengthen the country’s role in promoting international peace and security while providing valuable operational experience for members of the Gambia Police Force.
