This research explores the role of security force assistance (SFA) in
the context of political transition, through the case of The Gambia.
It shows how political and military leaders have preferred ad-hoc
and shorter-term SFA programmes over wider security reform
efforts. The Gambia has welcomed a range of new security
partnerships through foreign security advisors and small scale
SFA programmes provided by states, international organizations,
and NGOs. These have not converged in a clear strategy and the
uncoordinated efforts risks perpetuating long-standing problems.
The case demonstrates the ways SFA can lead to fragmentation
and (re)focus armed forces on presidential protection.