Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia is hosting the first-ever Sahel Governance Forum at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, bringing together regional leaders to deliberate on governance, security, and the future of the Sahel.
Held under the theme “The Future of Governance: Rebuilding Social Cohesion and Public Trust,” the forum aims to foster dialogue and cooperation among Sahelian states to address persistent and emerging challenges in the region.
In his keynote address, President Adama Barrow called for the forum to serve as a turning point in the region’s governance trajectory. He urged leaders to embrace a shared vision of inclusive governance that restores public trust and ensures every citizen feels “seen, heard, and valued.”
“If all leaders and citizens alike commit to patriotism and good neighbourliness, an amicable synergy of efforts and collaboration will unfold to uplift our economies and stabilise both the Sahel and the African continent,” President Barrow stated.
President Adama Barrow reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to working with all stakeholders and development partners to implement the outcomes of the forum and to help usher in a new era of governance, peace, and progress across the Sahel.
He stressed that a well-coordinated, collaborative approach is essential to translating shared commitments into just, inclusive, and sustainable solutions that respond to the region’s current realities. Such efforts, he noted, must prioritize the empowerment of the region’s dynamic youth and women, who are critical drivers of development across the continent.
President Barrow underscored the broader significance of peace in the Sahel, pointing out that stability in the region can have far-reaching implications for the entire African continent and beyond. He emphasized the urgency of sustained dialogue and joint action to turn regional challenges into meaningful opportunities.
“Our task is to devise home-grown solutions, act on lessons learned from the past, and move forward through peaceful and people-centered approaches for sustained development and prosperity,” he added.
President Barrow also expressed concern over the delayed transitions to democratic governance in parts of the Sahel and the recent withdrawal of some member states from ECOWAS—factors that, he cautioned, continue to exacerbate both longstanding and emerging challenges across the region.
“Across the Sahel, the slow pace of return to democratic rule and the withdrawal of some Sahel states from ECOWAS continue to compound the persistent and emerging challenges that confront us individually and collectively.”
The Sahel region encompasses Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and parts of Nigeria and Cameroon. The forum is expected to conclude with a set of resolutions aimed at advancing regional integration, strengthening democratic governance, and promoting stability.
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