Gambian President Adama Barrow is set to inaugurate the inaugural Sahel Governance Forum (SGF) on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The high-level event will take place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre (SDKJICC) in Bijilo, near the capital, Banjul.
Spanning two days, from July 30 to 31, the SGF will gather an influential assembly of former heads of state and vice-presidents, senior diplomats, policy experts, civil society leaders, and regional stakeholders.
The forum will focus on strengthening democratic governance and fostering peace and stability across the Sahel region.
According to the Gambian government, hosting the SGF demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to promoting political stability, security, and democratic values, both in the Sahel and across the African continent.
The event is being organised under the leadership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The goal is to promote meaningful dialogue and cooperation between Sahelian nations as they confront shared challenges in governance, security, and development.
The SGF is widely regarded as a timely intervention, as the region continues to grapple with political unrest, violent extremism, and climate-related disruptions. Organisers believe the forum could pave the way for new frameworks of collaboration among nations in the Sahel belt.
The launch of this landmark event in The Gambia is seen as a strategic signal of Banjul’s aspiration to play a greater role in regional diplomacy and continental governance. Participants are expected to issue key resolutions aimed at reinforcing democratic institutions and building long-term peace across the region.
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