Banjul, The Gambia – July 31, 2025 – The Government of the Republic of The Gambia, in collaboration with the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), International IDEA, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted the inaugural Sahel Governance Forum from 30 – 31 July 2025, sending a bold message across the region: governance in the Sahel must be people-centered, cross-border by design, and anchored in trust, inclusion, and accountability.

Convened under the theme “The Future of Governance: (Re)Building Public Trust and Social Cohesion in the Sahel,” the two-day forum was organized under the high patronage of President Adama Barrow, and brought together more than 300 stakeholders from across the Sahel including current and former Heads of State, AU and ECOWAS representatives, senior UN officials, civil society leaders, youth and women networks, media, and development partners.

Held against a backdrop of insecurity, democratic reversals, weak institutions, and waning trust, compounded by recent political transitions, the withdrawal of some Sahelian states from ECOWAS, and climate shocks and economic pressures that threaten peace and development, the timing of the forum could not be more critical for the region’s 350 million people. 

Over two days, participants examined structural governance gaps, institutional reforms, and strategies for rebuilding trust in one of Africa’s most strategic regions, with a strong focus on youth empowerment, gender equality, and inclusive participation.

Opening the event, H.E. President Adama Barrow of the Republic of The Gambia urged participants to turn dialogue into action: “Let this Forum be a catalyst for change, not just a conversation platform. We must leave Banjul with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared commitment to building a continent where governance works for all, where trust is restored, justice is upheld, and every citizen feels seen, heard, and valued.”

The forum challenged the traditional view of governance as limited to elections. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, underscored that true governance goes beyond the ballot box, explaining that it is “about accountability, discipline, and results.” Unless these principles define the relationship between citizens and governments and drive public service, he warned, “Africa will continue to sit on gold mines and oil wells while its people wallow in poverty.”

Dr. Touray highlighted ECOWAS’ achievements, which demonstrate what good governance can deliver, citing the West African Power Pool and the ECOWAS national identity card as tangible steps towards integration. He also revealed that plans to launch a single regional currency by 2027 would mark a historic milestone for economic resilience and shared prosperity in the region.

Former President of Nigeria and Founder of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, echoed these calls for accountability and integrity. He argued that leadership must be seen as a moral responsibility, stating that “If we must lead, let us do so to serve and to leave a legacy of integrity. When citizens see you live the values you preach, trust follows.” Dr. Jonathan further stressed that governance cannot succeed without economic transformation: “The Sahel cannot thrive without transforming how it creates and shares wealth,” he said, adding that transparency and a free press are essential because “governance thrives in the light, and corruption thrives in the dark.”

Throughout the Forum, youth delegates from across the region made their voices heard, insisting that they should be co-architects of governance: “Don’t plan for us, plan with us,” they declared. One young leader expressed determination to return home with hope, saying, “I want to tell my peers that our elders are thinking about a better future for our generation.”

Women leaders reinforced this urgency, calling for a shift from symbolic quotas to real influence. The President of the African Women Leaders Network in Niger insisted that: “women must be at the heart of governance, not just in numbers, but in decisions.”

The Forum highlighted practical pathways for inclusion, ranging from local leadership structures that integrate women at the grassroots level to regional strategies aimed at enhancing gender parity.

A major highlight of the Sahel Governance Forum was the launch of a flagship report, “The Future of Governance in the Sahel: (Re)Building Social Cohesion and Public Trust.” Based on a year of research and citizen consultations, the report identifies systemic weaknesses in justice, transparency, civic participation and economic governance and offers a roadmap for restoring trust through accountable and inclusive institutions.

Reflecting on this, Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, stressed that the Sahel’s challenges are rooted in governance, not security: “The people of this region are not asking for miracles; they are asking for institutions they can trust and leaders who are present beyond election cycles.” She added a powerful reminder that “Sahelians are not a problem to solve, they are the solution. Farmers, traders, artists, dreamers: YOU are the region’s greatest resource.”

Forum Highlights and Outcomes

• Launch of the Future of Governance in the Sahel Report: The newly unveiled report maps the evolution of governance across the Sahel over the past decade, identifies systemic weaknesses, and proposes policy recommendations to strengthen state legitimacy, enhance citizen participation, and embed accountability at all levels.
• Commitment to a New Governance Compact: Participants endorsed the report’s call for homegrown governance models, shaped by local realities and inclusive of diverse voices.
• Women and Youth as Agents of Change: Participants called for higher gender and youth representation in governance structures to strengthen resilience against fragility.
• Peace, Security and Development are Inextricably Linked: Both the Forum and the report stress that peace and security cannot exist without equitable development and robust social contracts. Participants called for integrated strategies that address insecurity while investing in economic opportunities and social services.
• Regional Integration: Despite shifts in membership structures, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation on trade, free movement, and counterterrorism initiatives.

Next Steps

The Forum concluded with a shared commitment to translate these dialogues into a concrete action plan that includes:

• A Regional Governance Roadmap to guide governance reform efforts, based on forum outputs and the report’s recommendations.
• Strengthened partnerships between governments, ECOWAS, AU, UN agencies, and civil society to ensure inclusive implementation.
• Follow-up mechanisms to track progress on commitments and maintain accountability.

Closing the Forum, the Vice President of The Gambia emphasized national commitment to sustaining the momentum generated in Banjul with the final declaration capturing the collective resolve:

“From Banjul, the journey begins, a journey toward institutions that serve, borders that connect, and leadership that delivers for all.”

For media inquiries and requests for interviews, please contact:

• Lawrence Neba, Communications Analyst, UNDP Cameroon | lawrence.neba@undp.org
• Fatoumatta Sisay, Communications Officer, Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, The Republic of The Gambia | commsmoimbs@gmail.com
• Ya Awa Touray, Communications Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Republic of The Gambia | awacee94@gmail.com
• Ikechukwu Eze, Goodluck Jonathan Foundation | ikechukwu.eze@gej.ng
• Mariam Njai, Communications Analyst, UNDP The Gambia | mariam.njai@undp.org
• Fazal Rehman Khan, Communications and Reporting Analyst, UNDP The Gambia | fazal.rehman.khan@undp.org
• Peace Carmen Ahouissou, Communications Specialist, UNDP Niger | peace-carmen.ahouissou@undp.org
• Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu, Regional Communications and External Engagement Specialist, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa | ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org

Note to Editors:

About The Republic of The Gambia

The Office of the President’s primary responsibility is to champion and coordinate the implementation of government programmes. Given its leadership and mandate in policy development, evaluation, and decision-making, the effectiveness of the Office of the President has a significant impact on the performance of all other government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Learn more at: https://op.gov.gm

About the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, founded by the former President of Nigeria (2010-2015), is an independent non-governmental organization established in 2015 for the advancement of peace and prosperity on the African continent.

The foundation is dedicated to promoting peace and reconciliation, advancing democratic governance, advocating for inclusive governance and economic development, promoting citizens’ rights, and continental and national integration.

Learn more at: https://www.gejfoundation.org

About the United Nations Development Programme

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end poverty, inequality, and climate change. With a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated and sustainable solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at: www.undp.org/africa/waca