Cabinet have agreed to splash the cash on required equipment for the police for them to be able to take part in UN and other peacekeeping missions around the world.
President Barrow and his ministers held a cabinet session on Thursday, the first of its kind since the start of 2021.
According to Information Minister Ebrima Sillah, Minister Interior presented a paper on the procurement of equipment for the deployment of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) by The Gambia Police Force to any United Nations and other Peacekeeping Mission.
“The need to have a credible and effective peacekeeping force requires the acquisition of critical peacekeeping enablers and other specialized equipment. Providing the necessary specialized training is also part of the requirements for the deployment of a quick reaction force.
“Cabinet was informed that The Gambia Police Force has already started the generation of forces and preparation of training modules in accordance with the UN Formed Police Unit training standards.
“It is important to note that there are set of factors for The Gambia to support the UN, AU and ECOWAS missions with troops as part of the country’s global responsibility, regional dynamics and national interests.
“After a thorough discussion, Cabinet approved the paper by the Hon Minister of Interior for the procurement of equipment for the deployment of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) by The Gambia Police Force to a United Nations and any other Peacekeeping Missions around the world,” Sillah said in a statement.
