Gambian President Adama Barrow Launches First-ever Sahel Governance Forum

Adama Barrow (fifth left) in a group photo with participants at the launch of the Sahel Governance Forum in Banjul on Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Source: Africa Publicity

Gambian President Adama Barrow has officially launched the first-ever Sahel Governance Forum (SGF).

The SGF was launched on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia.

Delivering a speech to officially launch the forum, President Barrow says “The Gambia is proud to host this important forum and to ensure that the benefits of lasting peace and inclusive growth are available to all Sahelians.”

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, who attended the launch ceremony of this important meeting, thanked The Gambia, the host country, the United Nations Development Programme, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA International) for jointly organising this important forum on the Sahel.

For President Touray, this Forum is being held at a particularly crucial moment, as the security and governance landscape in the Sahel is undergoing profound changes. It offers a unique opportunity to share perspectives, foster constructive dialogue and co-create solutions to advance a renewed governance agenda that prioritises social cohesion and public trust throughout the Sahel region and beyond.