Workshop in Banjul, The Gambia, concluded with regional recommendations on security and governance

The high-level workshop “Strengthening Security and Stabilisation in the Sahel and West Africa: Reconciling Good Governance, Regional Cooperation and Multilateral Responses” – jointly organised by the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), the European Union, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and International IDEA – was held in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, on 23 and 24 April 2026.

The workshop brought together representatives of the member states of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), the African Union, ECOWAS, the United Nations, as well as bilateral and multilateral Western partners.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, the participants:

1. Expressed deep concern over the persistent security challenges, terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and humanitarian crises in the Sahel and West Africa. They emphasised that sustainable solutions to these challenges must be primarily led by the States of the region, in line with their own realities and strategic priorities.
2. Reaffirmed that good governance, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption are essential foundations for lasting peace and security, while respecting the sovereignty of States.
3. Welcomed the significant progress achieved through regional and sub-regional mechanisms led by African States. They stressed the need to further strengthen coordination between national authorities, the AES Confederation, ECOWAS, and the African Union, with the support of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other relevant multilateral mechanisms, to more effectively address cross-border threats.
4. Underlined the crucial importance of coherent, coordinated, and complementary responses, and called for enhanced synergies between African-led initiatives and international support that is aligned with national priorities, while avoiding duplication of efforts.
5. Welcomed the ongoing efforts of MISAHEL and regional mechanisms aimed at:
   • Strengthening trust among the States of the region;
   • Supporting the reinforcement of national institutions responsible for stability and public security, in accordance with national visions and strategies and with respect for the principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union
   • Aligning international initiatives with the needs expressed by the States;
   • Promoting inclusive political dialogue involving traditional authorities, youth, and women, to prevent and manage crises;
   • Enhancing border management and capacities to combat security threats and transnational trafficking networks;
   • Promoting the humanitarian-development-peace nexus to address the root causes of conflict,
   • Mobilising sustainable financing to implement priority regional initiatives defined by Sahelian States, with long-term impact on human security.
6. Establish a flexible and inclusive follow-up mechanism for the conclusions of the workshop, under the leadership of MISAHEL, the AES Confederation and ECOWAS, and to organise periodic consultations with all relevant stakeholders for this purpose.
7. Agreed that efforts towards strengthening security and stability in the Sahel and West Africa must be pursued in accordance with the principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

The participants expressed their profound gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of The Gambia for their warm welcome and the excellent facilities provided to the delegations.

They also extended their thanks to all partners who supported the organisation of the workshop, particularly MISAHEL, the European Union, and the various Special Envoys for the Sahel. They reaffirmed that the primary responsibility for the future of the Sahel lies with its States and its peoples.

The participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue their efforts, in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect, in support of sovereign, coordinated, and sustainable solutions, with a view to achieving lasting peace, security, and prosperity in the Sahel and West Africa.