What is state security, who is a competent state security agent and who is a thug?
State security is not about the executive. The state is larger than the executive It involves the judiciary, the legislature and all the public oversight institutions. State security is not a question of carrying surveillance on a people day and night to see whether they are in agreement with a given government or not.
On the contrary, the power that is to be secured is the power that gives birth to governments. In a democratic society governments come and go. Hence no state security agent should be loyal to a party. They should be loyal to the people. Section 1 sub section 2 of the Gambian constitution states that the authority should be protected by the people. It states: "The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with this constitution."
This confirms that state security is about protecting the people and any other authority derived from the consent of such sovereign people. Such security personnel will not violate the laws of the country in the performance of their duties. They will respect each citizen as their employers. Section 222 subsection 13 (a) states a person holding an office in a public service or any disciplined force shall not - allow his or her political inclination to interfere with the discharge of his or her official duties."
A state security personnel should therefore perform his or her duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will. Those who try to intimidate their own citizens and engage in torture are not state security agents. They are thugs who create instability. This is why Sankara said a soldier/ state security agent without political/ civic education is a virtual criminal.
Foroyaa is more acquainted with our civic education programmes. They advocate for transparancy, accountability and a source of good political orientation programmes. Why UDP and NRP hated and not trusted these souls Halifa Sallah, Sedia Jatta and Sam Sarr amongst others committed to NADD for an ALLIANCE FOR REGIME CHANGE and lately declaring reconciliation possible?
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Posted - 31 Aug 2006 : 12:09:17
