Strengthening Security and Stabilization in Sahel and West Africa
The two-day workshop will take place from 23– 24 April 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul, The Gambia.
This workshop is convened against the backdrop of a regional context marked by persistent and multidimensional challenges. West Africa and the Sahel continue to grapple with the escalation of terrorism and violent extremism, complex political transitions, and increasing risks of spillover into coastal states. These interconnected dynamics undermine regional stability and underscore the urgent need for coordinated, integrated, and sustainable responses.
The proposed two-day workshop will bring together up to 50 participants, including high-level policymakers, special envoys, representatives of states and RECs, civil society actors, EU and African Union (AU) officials, as well as security and governance experts. This format will allow for the convergence of institutional, diplomatic, and civic perspectives and the identification of operational pathways for concerted action.
Agenda
23 April 2026
9:00-10:15
- Opening Session: Setting the scene
Welcome Messages: • H.E. the High Representative of the African Union, Head of MISAHEL
• Regional Director, Africa and West Asia, International IDEA
Solidarity messages:
• EU Special Representative for the Sahel
• Chief of Staff of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Opening remarks: H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia
10:15-10:45
- Group Photo and Coffee/Tea Break
10:45-12:00
- Session 1: The trends and emerging risks in the security landscape, Sahel and WestAfrica
Moderator: Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Ghana Special Envoy for the Sahel
Panellists:
• MISAHEL
• Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
• ECOWAS
12:00-13:15
- Session 2: Linking security, good governance, and states' resilience and refoundation
Moderator: Amb. Jainaba Jagne, AU Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflicts
Panellists:
• MISAHEL
• Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
• ECOWAS
13:15-14:15: Lunch Break
- 14:15-15:30 Session 3: The challenges of natural resources governance and mining
Moderator: Mr Gram Matenga, Regional Head of Programmes, International IDEA
Panellists:
• Mr Alex Vines, Director for Africa Programme, ECFR
• Institute for Security Studies
• International Crisis Group
15:30-15:45
- Coffee/Tea Break
15:45-17:00
- Session 4: Integrating traditional and community leaders into stabilization efforts
Moderator: Dr Lori-Anne Theroux Benoni, Senior Adviser, ISS
Panellists:
• The Emir of Liptako Gourma (TBC)
• Mr. Mamadou Diarrah, Development Coordinator - MISAHEL
• Paul Robert Tiendrebeogo, Expert
9:00-10:15
- Session 5: Effective Inclusion of youth (including Gen-Z) and women for transformative peace and security
Moderator: H.E. Mrs. Michele Ndiaye, Director for Transformative Peace in Africa, Open Society Foundation
Panellists:
• Mrs. Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director, WANEP
• Ms. Sifisosami Dube, Programme Officer, Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE), International IDEA
• Dr. Ebrima Sall, Executive Director of Trust Africa
10:15-10:30
- Coffee/Tea Break
10:30-11:45
- Session 6: The nexus between climate, peace and security in Sahel and West Africa
Moderator: Mr. Elly Prosper Arama, Acting Executive Secretary, Authority for Integrated Development of the member states of Liptako-Gourma
Panellists:
• Mr. Dauda Garuba, Executive Director, CDD Nigeria
• Janani Vivekananda, Director, Climate Security and Diplomacy, Adelphi Global
11:45-13:00
- Session 7: Regional and multilateral responses – Strategies and coordination including follow up actions
Moderator: Mrs Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Assistant Secretary General for Africa, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs – Department of Peace Operations
Panellists:
• Amb. Leonardo Simao, UNSRSG for West Africa and Sahel
• Amb. Joao Cravinho, EU SR for the Sahel
• Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and UNDP Regional Director for Africa
• H.E. Dr Mamadou Tangara, AU HR and Head of MISAHEL
13:00-13:15
- Presentation of the joint communiqué of the workshop (MISAHEL)
13:15-13:45
- Closing ceremony
• Closing remarks from the Regional Director of International IDEA
• Closing remarks from the AU HR and Head of MISAHEL
13:45-15:00
- Closing lunch
Speakers
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