𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚

By: David Kujabi, Former Gambia Police Force Spokesperson 

The recent spate of violent crime, especially armed robbery, has raised serious concerns about safety and security in The Gambia. While I do not absolve the police of any blame, I think the problem has little to do with the GPF’s ability or inability to effectively protect life and property. The GPF is very much concerned about the increasing incidence of these violent crimes and is doing its best albeit with limited resources. This can be attested in the swift arrest of suspects of the February 8 2025 in Banjul. We have witnessed increased police presence and strategic patrols, enhanced community engagement, capacity building, and public support, yet it seems the police are always playing catch-up with criminal activity. To understand what must be going wrong, we must shift our focus from just the police and look at the bigger picture.

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

The Gambia is cultivating an environment that motivates the commission of crime. Beyond the traditional factors that drive people to commit crimes – unemployment, poverty, low wages, poor education, drug abuse, peer pressure etc., there are deeper structural issues that are often overlooked. A critical area that must be examined is governance structures and their effectiveness in addressing the needs of the population, particularly in ensuring social justice and accountability.

Studies into the causes of crime categorise them into two schools of thought – the individualist view versus the collectivist view. The individualists argue that people commit crimes out of personal choice and should therefore suffer the consequences through punishment. On the other hand, the collectivists believe that inequality in society is the primary cause of crime, as vulnerabilities caused by social and economic disparity place some individuals at a greater risk of criminal activity. They advocate for the expansion of opportunities to prevent crime at its root cause.

The justice system in The Gambia is predominantly built on the foundation of the individualist view while lacking sufficient mechanisms to accommodate the collectivist approach. Without addressing structural inequalities and societal injustices, punitive measures alone are unlikely to yield sustainable solutions to crime prevention.

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

I strongly believe that one of the key factors exacerbating crime in The Gambia is the lack of accountability within government institutions. Over the years, numerous reports of corruption among government officials, state-owned enterprises, local government agencies, and councils have emerged, yet very little has been done to hold anyone accountable. This impunity fosters an environment of indiscipline, disregard for societal well-being, and widespread despair among the marginalised, ultimately leading to an increase in violent crime.

The influx and abuse of drugs further compound the problem. While drug-related offenses continue to rise, accountability for these crimes remains minimal. Drug trade networks not only fuel local criminal activities but also undermine national security by contributing to transnational crime syndicates. Without stringent anti-corruption and anti-drug measures, the cycle of crime will persist, reinforcing a culture where crime appears to be a viable alternative for those with limited legitimate opportunities.

If government officials can engage in corrupt activities with impunity, it sets a precedent that emboldens disillusioned youth. If high-ranking figures can misappropriate public funds without facing consequences, how can we expect marginalised youth to refrain from resorting to robbery, even if with violence?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐏𝐅 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

While the Gambia Police Force (GPF) plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order, its effectiveness is often constrained by resource limitations. One would wonder why despite efforts to enhance policing strategies, including increased patrols and community engagement initiatives, crime rates continue to rise.

It must be noted, however, that policing in fragile contexts like The Gambia is often hampered by inadequate training, logistical constraints, and limited forensic capabilities. This situation results in delayed investigations, reduced crime deterrence, and ultimately, a reactive rather than proactive approach to law enforcement.

Another critical issue is the accuracy of crime data. Official statistics released by the police sometimes do not align with public perception and anecdotal evidence. Many crimes, go unreported causing a discrepancy between reported crimes and actual experiences. This raises concerns about the reliability of crime figures used for policymaking.

𝐈𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞?

The effectiveness of The Gambia’s criminal justice system in deterring crime is another area of concern. Long pretrial detentions, congested remand facilities, and delayed court proceedings have turned prisons into recruitment centres for hardened criminals rather than institutions of rehabilitation. The remand centre creates a platform for the socialisation of offenders who get to learn more opus operandi and build more networks. Therefore, instead of acting as a deterrent, these systemic flaws contribute to deepening criminal networks within detention facilities.

Furthermore, the absence of effective rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals exacerbates the problem. Without vocational training, reintegration support, or mental health services, many ex-convicts find themselves unemployable upon release, increasing their likelihood of reoffending. Reforming the justice system by ensuring swift trials, improving detention conditions, and expanding rehabilitation efforts is essential for long-term crime reduction.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞

Migration, both legal and irregular, has also shaped crime trends in The Gambia. Many return migrants, particularly those deported from Europe and North Africa, face economic hardship and social stigma upon their return. With limited employment opportunities, some turn to crime as a survival mechanism.
Moreover, the criminal networks that facilitate human trafficking along migration routes often operate in tandem with organized crime syndicates involved in drug smuggling and arms trade. There is also the argument that The Gambia has become a safe haven where criminals can operate without being caught and this has led to a huge influx of immigrants from across the region. Strengthening border security, providing proper reintegration support for returnees, and fostering economic opportunities for at-risk populations are necessary steps in mitigating the negative impact of migration on crime rates.

𝐀 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬

Crime in The Gambia is not just a law enforcement issue; it is a societal challenge that requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response. Addressing crime effectively necessitates strengthening governance and accountability by enforcing stringent anti-corruption laws and ensuring that lawbreakers, regardless of status, face justice.

Additionally, investing in youth employment programs is critical to creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people, thereby reducing their reliance on crime as a means of survival. Enhancing the justice system by improving trial efficiency, reducing excessive remand periods, and expanding rehabilitation programs is equally essential to ensuring a fair and effective legal framework.

Furthermore, combating drug trafficking and abuse through the implementation of community-based drug awareness programs and stricter border controls can help curb the influence of illicit substances on crime rates.

Lastly, addressing migration-related challenges by developing reintegration programs for returnees and supporting job creation initiatives will provide alternative pathways for those vulnerable to criminal networks. The Gambia can foster a safer and more just society by adopting a holistic appro