Gambian Border Agencies Collaborate in IBM Simulation to Enhance Gambia’s Border Security Operations
Group Photo (c) DCAF
By the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
Following a two-day preparatory workshop for Border Officials on the Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept, a full-scale simulation exercise was conducted at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. This exercise, aimed at enhancing coordination and cooperation between the various border agencies in The Gambia, is a key step towards improving national and regional border security.
The Simulation Exercise brings together representatives from all critical border management agencies in The Gambia, including the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Gambia Police Force (GPF), Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), State Intelligence Services (SIS), Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), Public Health, Plant Protection Services (PPS), and the Department of Fisheries. This diverse group reflects the multifaceted nature of border security and the necessity for interagency collaboration to manage borders in a coordinated and secure manner effectively.
Security Officers (c) DCAF
The IBM Concept in The Gambia
The Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept is a holistic approach to border security that fosters interagency cooperation and collaboration among different national agencies tasked with managing borders, such as immigration, customs, and law enforcement. The primary goal of IBM is to enhance border security while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods. This approach also seeks to curtail illegal activities such as human trafficking, irregular migration, and the smuggling of contraband.
In The Gambia, the IBM concept was introduced through a DCAF project funded by the Swiss Confederation. This project, launched in 2021, focuses on strengthening the efficiency and accountability of the Gambia Immigration Department (GID). The initiative emphasises improving interagency coordination, building the capacities of border officials, and upgrading infrastructure to secure The Gambia's borders more effectively. By enhancing border security, the IBM concept aims to balance the facilitation of trade and migration with the prevention of transnational crimes.
According to Mark Lynch, Senior Border Management Advisor at DCAF’s Banjul office, the IBM concept is gaining recognition and appreciation in The Gambia. The simulation exercise is a critical component of this broader effort to institutionalize IBM in The Gambia and to prepare the country’s border agencies for real-world challenges.
DCAF Banjul Head on Podium (c) DCAF
The Simulation Exercise
The current IBM Simulation Exercise is designed to provide a controlled environment in which participants can apply the skills, knowledge, and strategies they have developed to address border security challenges. The exercise simulates a real-life scenario involving the smuggling of migrants.
It provides the participating agencies with the opportunity to develop operational plans, carry out joint investigations, and strengthen interagency cooperation to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Participants will also be tasked with addressing additional issues such as bribery, victim support, and the involvement of local communities in border management. The participation of border village Alkalos, members of Village Development Committees (VDCs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media, and other oversight actors ensures that the exercise reflects the real-world dynamics at play in border regions.
Through this exercise, the DCAF Border Management team will support the GID to assess the readiness of participating agencies to implement the IBM concept and to work together in complex operational environments. The exercise will also provide an opportunity to refine Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for border management in The Gambia.
The IBM Simulation Exercise marks a critical moment in The Gambia’s journey toward developing a more integrated and secure border management system. By fostering collaboration among national agencies and promoting joint operations, the exercise is expected to significantly enhance The Gambia's ability to manage its borders effectively.
