The city of Banjul has become the epicenter of West Africa’s governance discourse as it hosts the inaugural Sahel Governance Forum (SGF), focused on “Rebuilding Social Cohesion and Public Trust in the Region.”
Held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, the high-level event brought together more than 200 participants, including heads of state, former leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives, development partners, and youth and women’s organizations from across the Sahel and West Africa.
In his keynote address, Gambian President Adama Barrow underscored the significance of the gathering. “The Gambia is proud to host this important forum. We are committed to ensuring the Sahel benefits from lasting peace and inclusive development,” he said.
Also in attendance were former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, former Malian interim President Dioncounda Traoré, and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, who delivered remarks on behalf of ECOWAS institutions.
Touray emphasized the forum’s timeliness, given the shifting governance and security dynamics in the Sahel. He called it a “unique opportunity to co-create solutions that prioritize public trust, inclusive institutions, and social cohesion.”
Touray reiterated ECOWAS’ position on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, stressing that despite their official withdrawal, the people of these countries remain integral to the West African community. “We continue to share a collective identity and vision of integration,” he said. “We have agreed to preserve the gains of regional integration, including the free movement of people and goods, and cooperate in combating terrorism.”
He added that the outcomes of the forum are expected to propose innovative frameworks to enhance state-citizen relations, accountability, and democratic governance across the Sahel.
The Sahel Governance Forum, jointly organized by ECOWAS, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and IDEA International, aims to provide a platform for dialogue, mutual learning, and collaboration between key stakeholders.
- It seeks to reshape the region’s governance landscape through inclusive dialogue, policy innovation, and community-driven solutions tailored to the Sahel’s realities.
