By Lamin Sanneh

The Gambia has issued a powerful call to the United Nations and the African Union to join forces in tackling the escalating security challenges in West Africa.

Addressing the United Nations 25th General Assembly in New York, Gambian Vice President Muhammed Jallow emphasized that peace and stability are critical for the continent’s growth and prosperity.
He urged both global and African bodies to deepen their collaboration, combining resources and expertise to respond swiftly to conflicts and emerging threats.
He said only through united action can “we safeguard the future of our people and build lasting peace”.
“It is significant that the AU and the UN collaborate closely to address regional peace and security matters, and this includes recalibration of preventive diplomacy tools for maximum impact. Likewise, the need to strengthen early warning mechanisms and prioritise the protection of children affected by armed conflict is strongly evident,” VP Jallow told the UN General Assembly.
He said by re-echoing the mantra of “The Africa we want” and “an Africa at peace with itself,” The Gambia believes that more needs to be invested in conflict prevention.
“Consequently, we call on the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibility towards resolving the unrest in Africa and elsewhere.”
He said the rising levels of inequality are indicative of the unequal global economic system, creating huge imbalances for countries in the Global South, particularly in Africa, to address poverty, debt, and unemployment.
“It is indeed disheartening that five years towards the end of the targeted Agenda 2030 deadline, much remains to be accomplished. Worse still, the realisation of its goals and milestones appear to be profoundly remote.”
He added that the high death rates, displacements, and untold suffering of civilians in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and other corners of the world are truly ‘unacceptable’.
“All the raging conflicts around the world need to stop immediately. Fortunately, the 2025 peacebuilding architecture review presents a golden opportunity to agree on stronger preventive arrangements and measures for conflict prevention. As members of the United Nations and conscientious global citizens, we must continue to collectively pursue responsive and purposive actions by exhorting all hostile factions to dialogue for peace.”
“We must also contribute to effective security arrangements and frameworks not only to prevent conflicts but also protect civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly. Contending parties in each conflict zone must allow immediate and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to reach the suffering populations and commit to ending all hostilities. The bleeding must stop soonest.”
He said the UN serves as a driving force for multilateralism and the reaffirmation of the world’s collective faith in the sanctity of human rights, international peace, and security.
Commenting on the commemoration of the founding of the UN, VP Jallow said the commemoration calls for a keener probe into the future and a reassertion of the UN as the premier global institution entrusted with the destiny of humanity.
“We must now do more to fulfil the commitments we assumed under the Pact for the Future. The protracted challenges of conflict and geopolitical fragmentation, including the threat to the spirit of multilateralism under the United Nations, doggedly linger on.”
He said as the world grapples with complex and unprecedented challenges on various fronts, the peace and security landscape is becoming increasingly fragile.
“Amid the changing nature of conflict, we are continually witnessing consequential disregard for the principles of International Humanitarian Law in conflict zones. It is even more threatening that the rules-based international order is under enormous stress, thus losing its momentum, relevance, and moral underpinnings.”
He said the consequence of these developments reflects a desperate international community in search of answers to multiple predicaments simultaneously.
“Intricate as this may seem, The Gambia acknowledges that the UN’s enduring relevance and structural institutions contributed to momentous achievements of the past, particularly for countries in the global South.”
In the case of The Gambia, VP Jallow added, the UN used its convening power and preventive diplomacy via the Peacebuilding Commission to support the democratically elected government that assumed office in 2017.
“That support was key to upholding the will of the Gambian people, ushering in the current government, and initiating a transitional justice system to promote democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.”
He said President Adama Barrow has been pursuing the path of inclusive development, peace, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.
“With the current national reform agenda for inclusive governance, Gambians set their eyes on building a future of immense potential and opportunities, partly through the implementation of the recommendations of our Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. Over the past eight years, the government successfully organised credible, transparent, and both nationally and internationally endorsed rounds of national elections.”
He added that as preparations are progressing smoothly for the 2026 Presidential Election, the government remains resolved to maintaining international standards and consolidating participatory democracy, sustainable development, and good governance.
“In our drive for broader reforms, we are building stronger state institutions, initiating legislative reforms and expanding the scope of our criminal jurisdiction to prosecute international atrocity crimes. Such reforms include the enactment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Act 2024 to handle international crimes and serious rights violations. For the first time, we now have an Anti-Corruption Act to institute an Anti-Corruption Commission.”
He said these examples typify efforts to deliver restorative and transformative justice, prevent impunity, construct a just and durable path towards nation-building, and lay an unshakeable foundation for social justice.
“To support our development ambitions, as enshrined in our National Development Plan (YIRIWA) 2023-2027, we have operationalised a national budgeting mechanism grounded in human development to promote investment and national development. Our goal is to rise above our socio-economic challenges through inclusive engagement in democratic governance. This has propelled us to ensure that democracy, respect for fundamental rights, and the building of institutional mechanisms sustainably thrive.”
In building a peaceful society, VP Jallow added, The Gambia recognise the integral role of young people and women and, therefore, support their representation and participation in the democratic functioning of the state.
“In parallel, we value the consolidation of democracy and good governance in our neighbourhood. In this spirit, The Gambia recently hosted the Sahel Governance Forum to galvanise a multi-stakeholder convergence to address and find definitive solutions to governance challenges that hamper peace, stability, and development in the Sahel.”
Morocco
He said The Gambia applauds and supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in relaunching the Moroccan Sahara round table process to achieve a realistic and sustainable political solution in that regional dispute.
“We also welcome Morocco’s commitment to the ceasefire, full cooperation with MINURSO, and relaunching of the political process, based on the parameters of Resolution 2756 (2024).”
In this regard, VP Jallow added, “We call on Polisario to abandon its unilateral withdrawal from the ceasefire and lift restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement and provision of supplies to MINURSO. By the same token, we urge all parties, Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario, to work towards a pragmatic and sustainable political solution based on compromise.”
He said the positive impact of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, which “we accept as realistic and credible, is already well received, and the people of the region continue to enjoy peace, development, and the protection of their human rights; thanks to the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco’s New Development Model for the Moroccan Sahara Region.”