After two days of high-level dialogue in Banjul, The Gambia, the Sahel Governance Forum concluded with a strong call for locally-driven reforms to address the region’s persistent governance crises.

The forum brought together leaders, civil society groups, and international partners to discuss democratic decline, coups, and the eroding social contract across the Sahel.

Speakers, including Gambia’s Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, emphasized the need for inclusive, sustainable solutions rooted in local realities.

A flagship report launched at the event urged a shift from technical fixes to trust-based governance. The consensus: rebuilding the Sahel begins with its people.