Africa-Press – Gambia. The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)–The Gambia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Service, has concluded a two-day regional dissemination and localization of the 2024 Conflict and Development Analysis (CDA) Report.
The exercise, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), took place at the Governor’s Office in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
The regional outreach aimed to ensure that the findings and recommendations of the 2024 CDA are well understood and adopted at the local level. Dr. Malang Bojang, Manager of the National Early Warning System (NEWS) at WANEP, emphasized the importance of popularizing and localizing the report.
He noted that it would enable stakeholders and communities to support peacebuilding initiatives and accelerate national development.
Dr. Bojang highlighted that the report identifies key conflict drivers and dynamics that could lead to instability and violence, as well as peace engines with the potential to reinforce stability, social cohesion, and peace. He added that engaging stakeholders across all regions promotes a deeper understanding of conflict dynamics and their links to development challenges, which can inform context-specific and actionable solutions.
The report outlines six main conflict drivers and peacebuilding engines, including: transparent and accountable governance; public confidence and communication; social cohesion, identity, and citizenship; natural resource management, land ownership, and access; informed dialogue, public participation, and civic education; citizen safety and the responsiveness of security actors; the role of women in politics and social mobilization; and the role of religious institutions and leaders.
Landing Bojang, Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, commended WANEP and UNDP for complementing government efforts. He noted that the report’s findings help guide the government and its development partners on emerging conflict drivers and recommend peacebuilding strategies to sustain national security. He urged participants to support peace initiatives through dialogue and consultation.
Haruna Kuyateh, WANEP Focal Person, described the regional convergence as significant and called on participants to proactively promote peacebuilding initiatives to enhance social cohesion. She also encouraged communities to remain security-conscious and report conflicts promptly to relevant authorities.
Ebrima Bah, Regional President of the National Livestock Owners Association, urged authorities to increase support for livestock farmers through access to finance and other opportunities, highlighting the need for improved water points and large-scale animal production and marketing. He cautioned livestock owners to be vigilant against illegal transhumance activities and liaise with the Department of Livestock Services for proper screening of animals entering the country.
Alhaji Momodou Darboe, Regional President of the Supreme Islamic Council, and Pastor Don William of the Farafenni Christian community, emphasized the importance of faith, urging people to be God-fearing and promote interfaith dialogue.
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