Regional discussions in Gambia aim at resolving prolonged instability through collaborative solutions within the Sahel region.
The Sahel Governance Forum, held in Banjul, The Gambia from July 30-31, 2025, brought together presidents, former heads of state, ECOWAS and UN leaders, and global partners to discuss the critical issues facing the Sahel region. The theme of the forum was "Rebuilding Social Cohesion and Public Trust."
The Sahel region, which includes Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and northern Nigeria, is currently grappling with numerous challenges. According to Afrobarometer, fewer than 30 percent of citizens in many Sahelian countries trust their national governments. This lack of trust was highlighted by Ahunna Eziakonwa, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and the UNDP's Regional Director for Africa, who challenged the traditional view of the Sahel as a fragile region.
Goodluck Jonathan, the former Nigerian President, agreed, stating that the real problem in the Sahel isn't fragility, but structural abandonment. He referenced his administration's efforts to rehabilitate irrigation systems and launch the Great Green Wall initiative to combat desertification in the Sahel.
Exclusion from political processes and decision-making spaces was identified as a significant factor fuelling disillusionment, migration, and recruitment into extremist groups among young people in the Sahel. Over 60 percent of the Sahel's population is under the age of 25, and the region's political future heavily depends on how young people view democracy.
Roba Sharamo, Regional Director for Africa and West Africa at International IDEA, highlighted the role of youth in pushing for change in African governance. She cited Kenya's Gen Z protests as an example. Njoya Tikum called for adaptive governance that reflects Africa's lived realities rather than one-size-fits-all models.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in September 2023, was also discussed. The alliance was formed in response to the Nigerian crisis and the withdrawal of these countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Adama Barrow, the forum's host, framed "peace" as a precondition for wealth and development. He highlighted his administration's acceptance of 263 out of 265 recommendations from The Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission.
The United Nations Special Coordinator in the Sahel, Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, unveiled the (Re)building Social Cohesion and Public Trust Report, a joint initiative by several United Nations entities. The report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the issues facing the Sahel and propose solutions to rebuild trust and social cohesion.
The forum concluded with a renewed commitment to address the challenges facing the Sahel, with a particular focus on empowering young people, promoting adaptive governance, and rebuilding trust and social cohesion. The Sahel region, with its rich resources and vibrant youth population, holds immense potential for growth and development. However, to realise this potential, it is crucial to address the underlying issues of trust, governance, and exclusion.
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