By Fatou Sillah
The Government of The Gambia, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with funding from the European Union (EU), has launched the Insider Mediation for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding initiative. The event took place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The Gambia is among the beneficiaries of the EU-UNDP partnership project on insider mediation, recognizing it as a highly effective and sustainable tool for peacebuilding. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of national actors in constructive dialogue and negotiation, fostering sustainable mechanisms for internal mediation and conflict resolution. A key focus of the project is the empowerment of women and youth as insider mediators, ensuring their meaningful participation and leadership in peace processes.
Acknowledging the crucial role of local actors in conflict resolution, the project emphasizes the significance of community-recognized mediators. It also seeks to establish long-term, locally led mediation efforts to prevent and address conflicts at their roots.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abraham K. Mendy highlighted the vital role insider mediators will play in early warning and conflict mitigation within their communities.
“The Insider Mediators will leverage their unique insight and influence within communities to address disputes and conflicts at their source,” He Said. European Union Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to The Gambia, Immaculada Rocas I Cortés, underscored the impact of grassroots mediation in fostering a national culture of dialogue.
“The work that you do at the local level, it goes up to the national level. Creating a culture of dialogue within our communities helps the country to actually generate this culture of dialogue in all the different and very relevant challenges,” She Said.
UNDP Resident Representative in The Gambia, Mandisa Mashologu, emphasized the initiative’s potential to enhance the country’s capacity for peaceful conflict resolution. She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to partnering with member states in peacebuilding efforts.
“I’m truly appreciative of the long journey that has taken place for us to reach today’s launch of the Insider Mediation Network in The Gambia. This provides us with an opportunity to come together once again to reflect on how valuable insider mediation as an approach to peace building empowers local actors to actively contribute to peace building efforts within their own communities,” She Said.
Representing the 120 mediators, Absa Jallow from the Central River Region expressed gratitude to UNDP and its partners for entrusting them with this critical role. She acknowledged the importance of their responsibilities in maintaining peace and stability across their respective regions.