EU, WANEP Rally Stakeholders for Peaceful, Credible Elections in Gambia‎

The European Union and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) convened a forum to promote peaceful and credible elections ahead of The Gambia’s 2026–2027 electoral cycle.
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‎The forum, titled Voices for Peace, was held from September 2 to September 4.
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‎Raphaël Brigandi, deputy head of mission of the EU Delegation to The Gambia, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting peace and a nationally led electoral process.
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‎“The Gambia is undergoing a significant democratic journey. The country has made important progress in consolidating its democratic space, encouraging civic participation and creating room for dialogue and reform,” Mr Brigandi said.
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‎“While The Gambia is establishing itself as a beacon of democracy in the region, these gains and status need continuous attention and should not be taken for granted,” he added.
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‎According to the EU delegate, sustaining peace during The Gambia’s elections is a shared responsibility, and the EU is committed to supporting it.
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‎WANEP national coordinator Salama Njie called for transparency and fairness in the conduct of the polls, which she said is the cornerstone of democracy.
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‎‘‘Democracy is not a static achievement. It is a continuous journey that requires constant nurturing, vigilance, and dialogue. Elections are the cornerstone of a democratic society, but they can also strain social cohesion if not managed with transparency, fairness, and mutual respect,” she said.
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‎David Tommy, chair of the National Election Response Group (NERG), said no institution could prevent electoral violence alone, stressing the need for collaboration among state and non-state actors.
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‎He said, ‘‘Effective early warning and early response is a shared responsibility. No single institution can prevent electoral violence alone.
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‎“It requires sustained collaboration and information-sharing among electoral management bodies, state institutions, security agencies, political parties, civil society, the media, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth organisations, development partners and regional institutions.’’
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