The Daily IIJ

The United States Embassy in The Gambia organises a five-day seminar on ‘Civil-Military Responses to Security Threats’ in Banjul on July 12, 2010.
The seminar funded by the US/Africa Command Counter Terrorism Fellowship Programme, brought together personnel of different security units, lawmakers, media chiefs, civil society and politicians to discus, share knowledge and experience on civil-military responses to security threats in The Gambia.
Today, our world is facing numerous challenges that put great burden on the national security and defence of many nations, The US Ambassador to The Gambia Mr. Barry L. Wells said on Monday.
He argued that security is not the same as defense, as defense involves defending against an imminent attack from outside the country, security requires the government to create a climate of stability within, in order for all citizens to live without fear or want.
Ambassador Wells said Government responses to non-traditional security threats are by definition, civil-military responses. “Creating a climate of security requires all government institutions to work together, he said.
Mr. Wells noted that the event is the second to be held in Banjul by the United States Embassy in collaboration with the US Naval Post Graduate School Centre for Civil Military Relations. The first was conducted in 2007.
The Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR) is part of the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, and Wells said the principal focus this week will be civil-military relations within the context of security threats and terrorism.
The topics to be discussed according to him, include Civil-Military (Democratic Civilian Control of Armed Forces); Public Affairs and Media Issues; Military Professionalism; Risk Management; Tools and Strategies; The Intelligence Process; interagency decision-Making; Building Effective Institutions; Risk assessment; Net Assessment; and Institutional Roles.
He stressed that democratic governments must continually improve the way civilian and military institutions work together to satisfy the needs of their citizens. “We all have the same challenges; we each have different solutions. And we can learn from each other,” said.
He said the seminar is a good opportunity to get to know each other better because in the business of government, constructive professional relationships are essential to successful collaboration and mission accomplishment.
According to him, the US Government is committed to supporting efforts directed towards bringing security institutions and civil society together to addressing common challenges and strengthening democratic institutions.