Adama Barrow, The Gambia's new president, has vowed to reform the country's notorious intelligence agency and promised to ensure media freedom in the country.
Speaking at his first news conference since returning to take office on Thursday, Barrow announced plans to rename the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), a dreaded secret police accused by rights groups of forced disappearances and torture under the control of former leader Yahya Jammeh.
Barrow told reporters on Saturday the NIA was "an institution that has to continue", but with a different name.
"The rule of the law, that will be the order of the day," he said, adding that training would be given to NIA's operatives.
Name change
Barrow also said the country's official name will no longer contain the word "Islamic", which had been added by Jammeh in 2015.
The new president said The Gambia, whose population is 90 percent Muslim, with the rest Christian and animist, was a republic "not the Islamic republic".
Jammeh, who ruled the small West African nation for 22 years caused a major political impasse by refusing to give up power after losing the December 1 presidential election to Barrow.
Source: Aljazeera
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
God bless mr. president. may the almighty God protect your presidency fro wicked men. I pray that more missionaries can npw go to Gambia freely
TT, Barrow aka a w'aka. "Cowards die many times before their actual death"!
That sounds great ....it gonna even aid u people to sort refuge the US interns of crisis
MMMM African political puppets. its not wise to say these on national platforms when u could have done dem quietly without bringing unnecessary attention to urself. what do you think the so called mafia in the secrete service would be doing now. dont you think they already know that there would be changes???
Nice move Mr. President, let justice and freedom prevail!
This's the beginning of mistake most African leaders do in power,it's not politicaly wise to be saying things when it's too early to voice out certain weak and shallow decision ,sad for Africa.