Presidential Adviser and former Secretary General Modou Sabally has attributed the perceived increase in crime across The Gambia to a combination of geopolitical developments, changing parenting styles, and the rapid growth of citizen journalism through social media.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Star TV on Friday, Sabally argued that while the country’s democratic transition has strengthened respect for human rights and institutions, it has also created new challenges for law enforcement agencies.
Reflecting on The Gambia’s political transformation since the 2016 elections, Sabally said the country had moved away from a system widely criticised for human rights abuses to one that places greater emphasis on civil liberties. However, he suggested that the heightened focus on human rights has affected the operational effectiveness of the police.
“The extra sensitivity of human rights issues has mitigated the powers of police officers, despite their efforts,” Sabally said.
He noted that striking the right balance between protecting citizens’ rights and empowering security officers to perform their duties remains a major challenge for the government.
Sabally also argued that the widespread use of social media has significantly altered public perceptions of crime, making incidents appear more frequent than in previous decades.
“Before, if something happened, the only way of knowing it was through the radio and television. But now, every Tom, Dick, and Harry is a journalist,” he remarked.
According to Sabally, the speed at which information is shared online has amplified public awareness of criminal activities, contributing to the perception that crime is on the rise.
To strengthen national security, Sabally disclosed that the Gambia Police Force and the Gambia Immigration Department are currently undertaking recruitment exercises to increase personnel and improve operational capacity.
He credited President Adama Barrow’s administration with revitalising the country’s security institutions, saying officers are receiving greater motivation and support than ever before.
“Security forces are being motivated like never before,” Sabally said, praising the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus.
He concluded by urging Gambians to show greater respect for law enforcement officers, warning that public insults and hostility toward uniformed personnel could undermine their ability to perform their duties effectively.
“If we don’t respect our security officers, doing their work to perfection will also be a problem to them,” Sabally stated.
