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9 October 2025: The Gambia Government officials, United Nations agencies, and civil society partners have reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating peace and national reconciliation during the third-quarter (Q3) Technical Committee meeting of the Infrastructure for Peace (I4P) Project, held at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Bakau.. Mr. Baboucarr Trawally, Project Manager at ITC chaired the meeting, which brought together representatives from the Ministry of Interior, UNDP, the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), and other stakeholders from the civil society organisations, including the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) to review project progress, challenges, and priorities for the final quarter of the year. In his opening remarks, Mr. Trawally said the gathering was aimed at sharing updates on the achievements of the I4P project and aligning strategies to strengthen social cohesion and stability across the country. Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Mr. Jira Mansare commended the Gov...

Photo Source: Mr Baboucar Trawally, ITC Project Manager: Deputy PS Lamin Gassama highlights progress on peacebuilding and TRRC reforms at I4P Technical Committee meeting in Bakau. Tags: #GambiaPeace #UNDP #TRRC #PeaceAndReconciliation #Governance #InteriorMinistry #I4P Cape Point, BAKAU, The Gambia — October 9, 2025: Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Lamin Gassama, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation during the Infrastructure for Peace (I4P) Technical Committee meeting held at Ocean Bay Hotel, Bakau. The meeting, organised with support from UNDP, brought together members of the Technical Working Group and key stakeholders to review project achievements for the third quarter and outline upcoming activities for Q4 2025. “Our collective presence here reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable peace infrastructure in The Gambia,” Gassama said. He commended UNDP and the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) for their conti...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: Hon. Madi MK Ceesay, Member of Parliament for Serekunda West representing the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), has reaffirmed the commitment to continue efforts within The Gambia’s National Assembly to review and reform the controversial Public Order Act. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to repeal or amend the legislation, Hon. Ceesay emphasised that the campaign to revisit the law remains active amid growing concerns about its impact on fundamental rights. The Public Order Act, initially enacted decades ago and subsequently amended in 1963 and 2009, has faced constant criticism. Many deem it unconstitutional due to its restrictions on public assembly, despite a 2017 Supreme Court ruling upholding its legality—one that determined police permits for public processions under Section 5 are reasonable limitations on freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. Hon. Ceesay argued that peaceful protest is constitut...

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SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: On 2 October 2025, Mr. Karl-Frederick Paul, United Nations Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, addressed a collaborative forum on security sector laws and policies, emphasizing the country’s journey toward Security Sector Reform (SSR) as a vital part of its transitional justice process. Representing the UN, Mr. Paul highlighted that the SSR initiative aims to build security institutions that are accountable, effective, gender-responsive, and deeply committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and fostering public trust. The UN, through the Peacebuilding Fund, is actively supporting this work via the project “Sustaining The Gambia’s Peaceful Transition by Supporting the Implementation of the Security Sector Reform Strategy.” This joint effort by UNDP, OHCHR, and UNODC works in partnership with the Gambian government and various stakeholders including civil society organizations. Mr. Paul underscore...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: On 2 and 3 October 2025, The Gambia convened a high-level forum focused on advancing its Security Sector Reform (SSR) through an in-depth review of security sector laws and policies. Supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by UNDP, OHCHR, and UNODC, the forum brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society, academia, and media representatives to strengthen knowledge, coordination, and partnerships on SSR. The comprehensive reform effort seeks to transform Gambia’s security institutions into accountable, professional, and people-centered entities that uphold the rule of law, safeguard human rights, and rebuild public trust—foundations essential for the country’s sustained peace and democratic governance following the 2017 political transition. United Nations Resident Coordinator Karl-Frédérick Paul lauded the Gambian government’s progress, including the recent passage of the Nationa...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) has called on government and stakeholders to prioritise disability inclusion in the ongoing Security Sector Reform (SSR) process. Below is my presentation on behalf of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) during Panel Discussion at the first day of the Security Sector Reform- SSR Forum organised by the UNDP in partnership with UNODC, UN OHCHR and the Gambia Government held at the Ocean Bay Hotel on 2-3 October 2025. Introduction Good afternoon, everyone. I represent the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), an organisation committed to advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Gambian society. My task is to highlight the importance of integrating disability inclusion into security sector reforms. Inclusive security sector reform ensures that security institutions are accessible, equitable, and protective towards all citizens,...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: Dr. Luqman Saka, Associate Professor Department of Political Science of the University of The Gambia has underscored the central role of civil society in driving meaningful and inclusive Security Sector Reform (SSR), describing it as vital to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic governance in post-transition Gambia. Delivering a presentation on “Civil Society and Security Sector Reform in The Gambia: Highlighting Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities' (CRPD’s) Role in Advocacy and Policy Engagement”, Prof. Luqman outlined how SSR, launched after the 2016 political transition, aims to transform the country’s security institutions—from instruments of oppression into professional, accountable services that protect citizens’ rights. He made these remarks during the stakeholders Security Sector Reforms Forum organised by the UNDP at the Ocean Baye Hotel in Bakau on 2 and 3 October 202...