ECOWAS PRESIDENT RALLIES WEST AFRICA AT INAUGURAL SAHEL GOVERNANCE FORUM: “REBUILD TRUST, RESTORE HOPE”.
By Raymond Enoch
In a historic and timely move aimed at rescuing the West African region from the throes of instability and public distrust, The Gambia hosted the inaugural Sahel Governance Forum (SGF) on Wednesday, drawing high-level regional and international dignitaries. Themed “Rebuilding Social Cohesion and Public Confidence in the West African Region,” the forum was formally launched by Gambian President Adama Barrow at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul.
Addressing the gathering, President Barrow declared, “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.” His remarks set the tone for a transformative dialogue aimed at restoring governance, trust, and peace in the deeply fractured Sahel region.
Among the prominent voices at the Forum was H.E. Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who played a pivotal role in shaping the forum’s discourse. Dr Touray acknowledged the significance of the event and expressed gratitude to the host nation and the key partners – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, and International IDEA – for their commitment to the Sahel’s future.
In his keynote intervention, President Touray stated, “This Forum comes 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.”
The Sahel Governance Forum is envisioned as a recurring platform where nations within and beyond the Sahel can address the root causes of fragility—such as weak institutions, political exclusion, and insecurity—while nurturing inclusive policies that engage citizens and foster regional integration.
With ECOWAS taking a central role, the event signifies a reinvigoration of multilateral cooperation in the face of terrorism, coups, and rising disenchantment with democratic governance in parts of the Sahel. It also reaffirms ECOWAS’ commitment to people-centred development and regional solidarity.
The event, attended by civil society leaders, policymakers, youth representatives, and international partners, emphasized the urgent need to restore public confidence in state institutions and to craft a new narrative of hope for millions of Sahelians.
The presence of President Touray symbolized ECOWAS’ resolve to reposition governance reform at the heart of regional peacebuilding, even as challenges mount across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and beyond.
As the curtains draw on the inaugural SGF, the expectations are clear: bold actions, not just declarations. The road ahead may be long, but with unity of purpose and inclusive dialogue, the vision of a stable, cohesive, and hopeful Sahel remains within reach.
