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The meeting called on the United Nations, Member States and regional organizations to follow the example of The Gambia and become a model for transition countries.
The Peacebuilding Commission recalls its engagement with the Government of The Gambia, led by His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, during the post-election political impasse and transition period of 2017, during which the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations in New York, led by His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara, current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, unilaterally decided to request the support of the Peacebuilding Commission to raise awareness and rally strategic and coherent support from the international community to prevent impending conflict and humanitarian disaster.
The Peacebuilding Commission, chaired by His Excellency Mr. Cho Tae-yeol, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea and currently Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the request and led a Peacebuilding Commission delegation to The Gambia in March 2017, which included Ambassador and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tangara and His Excellency Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General of the Peacebuilding Support Office, prior to any other engagement with the Commission.
The visit was of particular significance as it provided an opportunity to engage with relevant stakeholders from all sectors of society and to understand the realities on the ground. As a result of the visit, the international community paid greater attention to the challenges and priorities of peacebuilding in The Gambia.
Following the visit, the People’s Bank of China held its first conference on The Gambia, bringing together for the first time key national, regional and international stakeholders to support The Gambia’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and a prosperous society.
This made The Gambia one of the first countries to engage with the Commission under a flexible engagement model. Over the years, this flexible engagement has ensured full national ownership and leadership from The Gambia. It has also provided an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus, including national, cross-border and regional situations and priorities. This is essential to address the root causes of conflict and promote social cohesion.
In that regard, the Peacebuilding Commission is a unique international forum that can address the multifaceted and interrelated issues of peacebuilding and peacekeeping, in accordance with national and regional needs and priorities.
Since its engagement began in 2017, the Commission has played an important role throughout the transition process in The Gambia, including conflict prevention, peacebuilding and peacekeeping, in particular through preventive diplomacy, political accompaniment and sustained international attention and support for The Gambia.
The Commission’s continued attention and support during and after the impasse was crucial. Long-term engagement played an important role in avoiding further escalation and remains critical in The Gambia, both at the community and national level.
Turning to the main features of the Peacebuilding Commission, it is noteworthy that the Commission, through its convening and bridging role, has played a key role in strengthening coherence and cooperation among relevant national, regional and international actors in support of the peacebuilding efforts in the Gambia.
Through these efforts, The Gambia has received sustained, comprehensive and consistent support from the international community, including the United Nations, regional and international organizations and financial institutions. The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) alone has implemented 18 peacebuilding and conflict prevention projects in The Gambia, totaling $34 million.
The Gambia peacebuilding case is a best practice for obtaining and implementing comprehensive support in a consistent manner to prevent conflict.
The Commission’s support and political engagement provided a salient and credible guarantee for key reform processes, particularly in the area of transitional justice, leading to the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), and the subsequent publication of a White Paper on the implementation of its recommendations.
PBF’s support has been instrumental in laying the foundations for lasting peace, particularly in conflict prevention projects in areas such as electoral reform, women and youth empowerment, and strengthening media and civil society capacity.
At the aforementioned meeting, Her Excellency Elisabeth Spehar, current Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding Support, stated:I would like to encourage everyone to build on the good practices of the Peacebuilding Commission’s work with the Gambia. Use the review to strengthen the Peacebuilding Commission and raise its profile so that more countries can benefit from its support. Take a pragmatic approach, strengthen cooperation with the Security Council, build more strategic partnerships with regional organizations and international financial institutions, and continue to work with respect for national ownership.”
This year, the government’s request to continue to enjoy PBF eligibility (for a new round of five years) was approved.
Banjul, The Gambia – June 26, 2024
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